[Music.
Enter M. Laroque, leaning on Marguerite.
Mar. This way, dear grandfather. So, so. How well and strong you are to-day.
[Alain places chairs and exits.
Laroque. Always better and stronger when you are near me, my darling, [sits down.] Thank ye, thank ye.
Mar. Let me present to you Mons. Manuel, our new steward.
Laroque, on seeing Manuel, is transfixed and gazes with a sort of terror at him.
Lar. No—no—no—it cannot be!
Mar. What is this?
Lar. But I tell you he is dead—dead—