PHI. Yon delight me, Sir, by this generous action, and I will reward your love. Yes, I grant Henriette to the eager affection….
HEN. No, mother. I have altered my mind; forgive me if now I resist your will.
CLI. What! do you refuse me happiness, and now that I see everybody for me….
HEN. I know how little you possess, Clitandre; and I always desired you for a husband when, by satisfying my most ardent wishes, I saw that our marriage would improve your fortune. But in the face of such reverses, I love you enough not to burden you with our adversity.
CLI. With you any destiny would be happiness, without you misery.
HEN. Love in its ardour generally speaks thus. Let us avoid the torture of vexatious recriminations. Nothing irritates such a tie more than the wretched wants of life. After a time we accuse each other of all the sorrows that follow such an engagement.
ARI. (to HENRIETTE). Is what you have just said the only reason which makes you refuse to marry Clitandre?
HEN. Yes; otherwise you would see me ready to fly to this union with all my heart.
ARI. Suffer yourself, then, to be bound by such gentle ties. The news I brought you was false. It was a stratagem, a happy thought I had to serve your love by deceiving my sister, and by showing her what her philosopher would prove when put to the test.
CHRY. Heaven be praised!