Oh!  Musetta!

(the friends look pityingly at MARCEL, who turns pale)

(The shopwomen are going away, but stop to watch the fair stranger, and are astonished to recognize in her MUSETTA; they whisper among themselves, pointing at her.)

Look! ’tis Musetta! 
She! 
Musetta! 
’Tis she! 
Yes! 
Yes! 
’Tis Musetta! 
Oh! what swagger! 
My! she’s gorgeous.

(entering their shops)

STUDENTS and WORK GIRLS (crossing the stage)
Only look! why, there she is! 
Some old stammering dotard’s with her, too! 
Yes, ’tis she! 
Tis she! 
Musetta!

(Enter from the corner of the Rue Mazarin an extremely pretty coquettish-looking young lady.  She is followed by a pompous old gentleman, who is both fussy and over-dressed.)

ALCINDORO DE MITONNEAUX. (joining MUSETTA_, out of breath_)
Just like a valet
I must run here and there. 
No, no, not for me! 
I can stand it no more.

(MUSETTA_ without noticing_ ALCINDORO_, takes a vacant seat, outside the cafe._) How now?  Outside?  Here?

MUS. (without noticing his protests, he fearing to remain outside in the cold) Sit down, Lulu!

ALC. (in great irritation, sits down, and turns up his coat collar)
Such a term of fond endearment
Pray do not apply to me!

MUS.  Now, don’t be Blue Beard, pray!

(A waiter approaches briskly, to prepare the table and begins to serve. SCHAUNARD_ and COLLINE furtively watch MUSETTA. MARCEL feigns the greatest indifference. RUDOLPH devotes all his attention to MIMI._)

SCH. (at the sight of the old gentleman with his decorations)
He’s had a pretty good dose, I reckon.

COL. (scrutinizing ALCINDORO) The naughty, naughty elder!

MAR. (contemptuously) With his good young Susanna.

MIMI. (to RUDOLPH) And her clothes are smart, too!

RUD.  The angels can’t afford them.

(A piquet of the National Guard passes across the square; some shop-keepers go home; at the corner of the street the chestnut-seller does a thriving trade; the old clothes dealer fills her barrel with clothes, and goes away with it over her shoulder.)

MUS. (disconcerted at not being noticed by her friends)
Marcel can see me,
But he won’t look, the villain! 
And Schaunard! 
They provoke me past bearing! 
Ah! could I but beat them! 
If I could, I would scratch! 
But I only have to back me
This old pelican! 
No matter! (calls the waiter who has gone away)
Hi! waiter, here! (the waiter hurriedly approaches)
See, this plate has a horrid smell of onions!
(dashes the plate on the ground; the waiter picks up the pieces)

ALC.  Don’t, Musetta! do be quiet!