Mar. Mother! mother! Oh Heavens! Can nothing be done?
Dr. Desmarets places his hand on Laroque's heart, and looks at Manuel, who, in answer to an appeal from Marguerite and Madame Laroque, points upwards.
END TABLEAU V.
Lapse of Some Months.
TABLEAU VI.
Saloon in the Chateau Laroque splendidly decorated and furnished. Arches R., L. and C. Alain and Servants discovered arranging furniture, lighting lamps, &c.
[Music.
Alain. There now. I think everything is pretty well arranged here, so run away all of you and see to the preparations outside. [Exeunt servants.] 'Pon my life I'm nearly done up. All of a sudden to change a house that has, for the last five months appeared like a mourning coach, into a dandified, bright-looking mansion prepared for a marriage fete, requires more inventive genius than ever I shall get credit for. If I could only extend my transforming powers to the faces of the family, I should be much gratified, for such a grim-looking household exists not in Brittany at this moment. There's M'lle Marguerite. The nearer the time approaches for the marriage, the paler she grows. Madame Laroque does nothing but freeze and shiver, Mons. Manuel is absent for days together, and Madame Aubrey weeps a good tea-cup full about every two hours. Cheerful work, very.
Enter Mademoiselle Helouin.