BELLA. (laughs.) You cannot. You can only trust me.

DOM. I never thought you cruel before. (turns from her.)

BELLA. I am not. (Dominique keeps away.) Dominique—Nick—

DOM. (coming to her.) Bella—(enter Darblee.)

DAR. I have just discovered that Mr. Duval is in the next room. (exit.)

BELLA. I must go.

DOM. I will accompany you.

BELLA. No, you mustn’t.

DOM. I may at least follow you with my eyes till you enter the Church. (exeunt; enter Baptiste; he goes to the place in which he had stowed his slippers; looks; finds them gone; exit quickly and apprehensively; enter Dominique.) I have never seen my prospective father-in-law, so I’ll try to get a glimpse of him. (listens to some one approaching) Baptiste,—“hanted,” as usual, I’ll bet. (he takes up Darblee’s hat, puts it on the mask head and goes himself into the niche; Baptiste enters.)

BAP. I mus’ a made a mistake ’bout dem slippers, (goes to places; looks; falls more and more into bewilderment and consternation.)