MAR. Your voice is so comforting.
LAF. How could it be otherwise in this beautiful hour? Come, sweetheart, let us walk by the shore. The great, calm heart of Nature will strengthen you. (they walk up stage.) See how the little waves, like baby hands, pat the Earth’s breast all night long. (exeunt. Enter as they disappear, Manuel; he is dressed in pirate clothes.)
MAN. (looking after them.) Curse the luck! It isn’t enough that I must thrust myself into a dead pirate’s clothes in order to save my head on that Creole expedition, but I must find myself checkmated at last in spite of everything! (enter Mariana; her step is light and she is singing softly and blithely.) Mariana—(kneels.)
MAR. (startled.) Ah!
MAN. I beg your forgiveness for my words and conduct on the ship. I was beside myself—wild with fear lest you should be taken from me—taken to worse than death. I risked my life—I risk it now to save you.
MAR. (with transcendent happiness.) There is no need. Jean is here. Jean loves me.
MAN. (rising.) Jean is a pirate!
MAR. (turning away in slighting reproval.) Ah!
MAN. Not in make-believe as I was, but in hard, vicious reality.
MAR. (turning upon him.) Take care.