Fontanares Shall I live long enough to testify my gratitude to you? If I achieve anything, if I make a name, if I attain to happiness, it will be through you.
Faustine Why that is nothing! I merely tried to smooth the way for you. I feel such pity for men of talent in misfortune that you may ever count upon my help. Yes, I would go so far as to be the mere stepping-stone over which you might climb to your crown.
Marie (drawing Fontanares by his mantle)
But I am here, I (he turns around), and you never saw me.
Fontanares Marie! I have not spoken to you for ten days! (To Faustine) Oh! senora, what an angel you are!
Marie (to Fontanares) Rather say a demon. (Aloud) The senora was advising me to retire to a convent.
Fontanares
She!
Marie
Yes.
Faustine
Children that you are, that course were best.
Fontanares I trip up, it seems, on one snare after another, and kindness ever conceals a pitfall. (To Marie) But tell me who brought you here?
Marie
My father!