_MANUEL discovered asleep--MAD. AUBREY opens door and looks in._
_Mad. A._ Worn out with the day's excitement, he's asleep at last.
[_Comes in._] What could that paper have been, I saw him burn? Ah!
there's the envelope he threw away, when he put it in the flame.
[_Picks it up._] So, so--what's that? a footstep. [_Exit._
_MONSIEUR LAROQUE opens door and looks in--He is very pale and
appears much exhausted--He looks back and beckons, as if to
followers--Music ceases._
_Lar._ This way--this way--quickly--but silently. Silently, men or
we shall spoil all. Remember, they are _English_, and spare not! no
quarter! no quarter, mind--but softly--softly--and fire not until I give
the word! Then--then--every drop of Saxon blood shall float a world of
crime from off my soul! One moment--_now! now!_
_He raises his arm, as if to strike, when he sees MANUEL, upon whose
face the lamp throws a powerful light--A pause._
Heaven have mercy! 'tis he. At such an hour as this I can _not_ be
mistaken! It is he--[_MANUEL awakes._]--My Lord Marquis!
_MARGUERITE appears._
_Man._ What is this?
_Lar._ Pity--pity--and forgive me.
[_MANUEL all at once comprehending, advances to M. LAROQUE._
_Man._ Miserable man, I pity, and I forgive.
_Mar._ What does this mean?
_Man._ Oh, nothing, Mademoiselle, but I thought it better to humor his
delirium. [_LAROQUE staggers. MANUEL places him in chair._
_Enter ALAIN, DESMARETS, MADAME LAROQUE and MLLE HELOUIN._
_Mar._ Grandfather, dearest, speak to me--it is Marguerite, your child,
to whom you were always so good, who loves you so. You have some
thought, some remembrance which torments you. Is it not so? Tell me,
dearest, tell your own Marguerite. [_Music._
_LAROQUE looks up, makes one or two endeavors to speak, when his
head again falls on his breast._
_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._