LAF. Mariana! (she starts; trembles, but does not turn; Lafitte advances; holds out his arms.) Mariana!
MAR. (waking.) Ah! (she turns; throws herself in his arms.) I am so glad you are come!
LAF. (overcome with emotion; passing his hand gently again and again over her bowed head.) My sweetheart—
MAR. My heart is so full.... It has been such a long while since you went away....
LAF. Such a long while, sweetheart. But now—
MAR. You won’t leave me?
LAF. I won’t leave you, even though—
MAR. What?
LAF. Tell me. I have been tortured. You—are a nun?
MAR. No: only a novice, free to leave at any time.