[He sinks into a chair.

[Enter Marguerite. She comes down slowly.]

Mar. Manuel!

Man. Marguerite!

Mar. Hush! move not, nor speak till you have heard me. I am here to ask forgiveness.

Man. Forgiveness?

Mar. Now, now, I know your truth, too late, oh, Heavens! too late late I know your pure, unselfish heart. You bore suspicion, insult, scorn, but I believed you not. How nobly you risked life for honor; yet I believed you not.

Man. At last then—

Mar. At last, conviction came; that letter you mislaid—

Man. Relating to my sister—