SCENE III.—VALÈRE, ISABELLA, SGANARELLE.
VAL. (Coming out quickly). Yes, yes; I will this night make some effort to speak to… Who is there?
ISA. (To Valère). No noise, Valère; I have forestalled you; I am
Isabella.
SGAN. (Aside). You lie, minx; it is not she. She is too staunch to those laws of honour which you forsake; you are falsely assuming her name and voice.
ISA. (To Valère). But unless by the holy bonds of matrimony…
VAL. Yes; that is my only purpose; and here I make you a solemn promise that to-morrow I will go wherever you please to be married to you.
SGAN. (Aside). Poor deluded fool!
VAL. Enter with confidence. I now defy the power of your duped Argus; before he can tear you from my love, this arm shall stab him to the heart a thousand times.
SCENE IV.—SGANARELLE, alone.
Oh, I can assure you I do not want to take from you a shameless girl, so blinded by her passion. I am not jealous of your promise to her; if I am to be believed, you shall be her husband. Yes, let us surprise him with this bold creature. The memory of her father, who was justly respected, and the great interest I take in her sister, demand that an attempt, at least, should be made to restore her honour. Hulloa, there! (Knocks at the door of a magistrate).
[Footnote: See page 261, note 5.]
SCENE V.—SGANARELLE, A MAGISTRATE, A NOTARY, ATTENDANT with a lantern.
MAG. What is it?
SGAN. Your servant, your worship. Your presence in official garb is necessary here. Follow me, please, with your lantern-bearer.
MAG. We were going…
SGAN. This is a very pressing business.
MAG. What is it?
SGAN. To go into that house and surprise two persons who must be joined in lawful matrimony. It is a girl with whom I am connected, and whom, under promise of marriage, a certain Valère has seduced and got into his house. She comes of a noble and virtuous family, but…
MAG. If that is the business, it was well you met us, since we have a notary here.
SGAN. Sir?
NOT. Yes, a notary royal.
MAG. And what is more, an honourable man.
SGAN. No need to add that. Come to this doorway; make no noise, but see that no one escapes. You shall be fully satisfied for your trouble, but be sure and do not let yourself be bribed.
MAG. What! do you think that an officer of justice…
SGAN. What I said was not meant as a reflection on your position. I will bring my brother here at once; only let the lantern-bearer accompany me. (Aside). I am going to give this placable man a treat. Hulloa! (Knocks at Ariste's door).
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