In this short scene, we are introduced to Mr. Mangman, who has come to live with his sister and brother-in-law in the Swiss Alps. He is very excited about the prospect of meeting his brother, who is also a young man. He asks his sister if she would like to go for a walk in the forest with him, but she refuses, saying that it would be too dangerous for her to do so in the middle of the night. He tells her that he is taking her to the forest because he wants to help her with her painting. He explains that he has been financially independent for many years, and that he can take care of her. He says that he does not want to use the titles of the family to make him away from her, but that he cannot help but make "irrevocable matters".