SCENE XII.—SGANARELLE, A RELATIVE OF SGANARELLE'S WIFE.
REL. I commend a husband's anxiety in such a case, but you take fright a little too hastily. All that you have told me against her, kinsman, does not prove her guilty. It is a delicate subject, and no one should ever be accused of such a crime unless it can be fully proved.
SGAN. That is to say, unless you see it.
REL. Too much haste leads us to commit mistakes. Who can tell how this picture came into her hands, and, after all, whether she knows the man? Seek a little more information, and if it proves to be as you suspect, I shall be one of the first to punish her offence.
SCENE XIII.—SGANARELLE, alone.
Nothing could be said fairer; it is really the best way to proceed cautiously. Perhaps I have dreamt of horns without any cause, and the perspiration has covered my brow rather prematurely. My dishonour is not at all proved by that portrait which frightened me so much. Let me endeavour then by care…
SCENE XIV.—SGANARELLE, SGANARELLE'S WIFE, standing at the door of her house, with LELIO.
SGAN. (Aside seeing them). Ha! what do I see? Zounds! there can be no more question about the portrait, for upon my word here stands the very man, in propria persona.
SGAN.'S WIFE. You hurry away too fast, sir; if you leave us so quickly, you may perhaps have a return of your illness.
LEL. No, no, I thank you heartily for the kind assistance you have rendered me.
SGAN. (Aside). The deceitful woman is to the last polite to him. (Sganarelle's Wife goes into the house again).