Gustave
What? She’s lost her speech?
Virginie
Yes, sir, look.... She’s opening her mouth and moving her lips and working her hands but her voice has gone.
Gustave
What is it, aunt? Is there something you want to tell us? (She nods assent.) And you can’t? There, there, make an effort; it’s a temporary paralysis, that’s all. It will soon pass. (She makes a sign that she can no longer speak.) What’s the matter with you? What do want? (To Saint Anthony.) What’s the meaning of this?
Saint Anthony
She will never speak again.
Gustave
She will never speak again? But she has been speaking. You heard her. She even gave you a piece of her mind.