Act III. Scene I. The Cours de la Reine, Paris, on the day of a

popular fête. Stalls of traders are among the trees. There is a pavilion for dancing. After some lively preliminary episodes between the three actresses and _Guillot_, _De Brétigny_ enters with _Manon_. She sings a clever "Gavotte." It begins, "Obéissons, quand leur voix appelle" (List to the voice of Youth when it calleth).

The _Count des Grieux_, father of the _Chevalier_, comes upon the scene. From a conversation between him and _De Brétigny_, which _Manon_ overhears, she learns that the _Chevalier_ is about to enter the seminary of St. Sulpice and intends to take holy orders. After a duet between _Manon_ and the _Count_, who retires, the girl enters her chair, and bids the wondering _Lescaut_ to have her conveyed to the seminary.