CLARISSE tells MANON that BENJAMIN,  MANON'S suitor, is becoming suspicious of their visits to Jardin Luxembourg. It is good they did not go there today. CLARISSE knows that MANON cares for DANIEL but says that BENJAMIN may propose marriage. MANON likes BENJAMIN but is not sure she would be happy with him. DANIEL arrives. CLARISSE leaves. DANIEL and MANON are standing in the middle of a resplendent wood-paneled room. There is a magnificent gold-framed floor-to-ceiling mirror at the end of the room. DANIEL professes his love to MANON in "MOMENT BY MOMENT."

DANIEL

Moment by moment, the moment has come
To summon the courage to say
I knew I loved you that day you appeared
Your laughter the wind in your hair
You smiled and I knew there could never be
A vision more perfect for me
Look in the mirror do you see what is there
A portrait of you and of me
Standing beside you your hand on my cheek
The beat of my heart when you're near
I pray that this moment will turn into
A lifetime of moments with you
A lifetime of moments with you    

They kiss, but MANON pulls away. She is  conflicted knowing her parents would be furious if they knew about the secret rendezvous with DANIEL.