Widow You'd have made him love you, that's already done. But to make him marry you, you must double dose him with sighs, looks and little manners. Put to work my recent lessons. We shall try to please at first by simple attractions. A little affectation, lowering your gaze, being quiet, appearing embarrassed. A cold blooded man, seeing a great deal of simpering, will believe less what he sees. He will suspect, examine, and discover the pretence. But, when the dupe is taken—be affected without fear. The grossest kinds of affectation, far from quelling, charm his passions, and he seeks out the beauty of nature.
Lucas I don't understand half your fine preaching. (dumbfounded) But what you say must be good, for you amaze.
Widow
Lisette understand perfectly.
Lisette Not so much as you think. You have taught me well, speaking to me of these looks which make women so refined. But I am not so refined. I cannot do as they do.
Widow
Oh, you will go far. You know how to please, and how to pretend.
Lisette
You deceive yourself. I contradict myself in no respect. I please the
Baron without feigning to please him. If he is deceived, I can never
be. When I speak contrary to my thought, one can see in my manner that
I am embarrassed.
Widow The Baron could, by a tender turn about, mention again the contract he made the other day. He is changeable, peevish in his tenderness. Think to profit by his day of weakness. Has he promised again today?
Lisette
Alas, no.
Widow He must have thought it over. It's his day to be reasonable, his good day. But we will recapture him. To make him sign, it's only needful to make him wait. If something can hasten this happy day, it's pretence. Pretend a violent love.
Lisette
Alas, I will pretend badly.