Widow
Then, I am uneasy. I intend to marry as much as Lisette. Monsieur
Argon occupies me and I am going to see him. If he keeps his word, it
will be all over today. (exits)
Lucas You must pretend the widder lady says, and you don't know how to pretend a pretense. You say everything that comes into your head and that's a mistake. Have the virtue to lie a bit. You don't know how, and that upsets me.
Lisette Oh, console yourself, father. If I am still stupid, I am not really stupid. I know how to pretend better than the Widow thinks. I have some tricks she hasn't seen yet. If I always tell her I am innocent, and that, despite her lessons, I am ignorant, it's all on purpose so she will be proud of me.
Lucas
Oh, you know what you're doing and I cannot complain of you.
Lisette
You are going to see how I intend to make a fortune.
Lucas
Fortune is our master.
Lisette
It is true—it is our master. But, if he should fail me?
Lucas Ha! Ha! I see well what you intend. So as not to lack one, you will have two.
Lisette Yes, at least, father. That's what I'm doing. But the other has less wealth, which annoys me. For Monsieur Baron—here's what I fear—his conversation does not entirely please me. I have spoken to him a lot in pretending to be innocent. No, for marriage he has no plans. He says he wants to stay single for ten more years.
Lucas To remain single—oh, oh. He wants to marry you, so you can remain a virgin?