[She goes to Manuel and shakes hands with him violently.
Mlle H. [Aside.] Baffled. Foiled at every turn. [Enter Bevannes.] Ah! no. One hope is left. Mons. de Bevannes, you are well arrived. In good time to defend your honor, which is greviously in peril here. That man, the steward, by a strange reverse of fortune, has become master of this great estate.
Bev. So I have already been informed.
Mlle H. Well, look there. Have you eyes?
Bev. Madame, you wound my vanity.
Mlle H. Do you not see that the new master here is likely to become lord where you alone should reign? Will you tamely submit and give her up?
Bev. Madame, you just now reflected on my person, now you do worse; you attack my heart. Do you think I am the man to step between two devoted young creatures for my own selfish ends? No! The moment I found the dear girl was penniless, I destroyed the contract, and in the most generous manner, gave her back her word.
Mad. L. I won't go near her. I do believe she'd bite me. Doctor, will you have the goodness?
Des. [To Mlle Helouin.] Mademoiselle, you were very anxious just now for somebody to turn out—I don't wish to be ungallant—but what is going to take place here will coincide so little with your arrangements, that the ladies think—that perhaps—
Mlle H. Enough, sir. [To Manuel.] If I am criminal, you shall not call me hypocrite. I go, and as a parting gift, take from me such wishes for your future, as bitter scorn and baffled hate may leave.