CLE. What is it?
COV. We have had lately a certain masquerade, which seems to me the very thing wanted, and which I mean to make use of to play a trick on our absurd old fellow. The whole affair seems rather silly, but with him we may risk many things; there is no need of much cunning, and he is one to play his part wonderfully well, and to swallow greedily all the nonsense we may venture to tell him. I have actors and costumes all ready; only leave it to me.
CLE. But tell me….
COV. Yes, I must tell you all about it; but let us go away, for here he is coming back again.
SCENE XV.—MR. JOURDAIN (alone).
What the deuce does it all mean? They do nothing but reproach me with my great lords, and I, for my part, see nothing so fine as to associate with great lords; we find only honour and civility with them; and I would give two fingers of my hand to have been born a count or a marquis.
SCENE XVI.—MR. JOURDAIN, A SERVANT.
SER. Sir, here is the count, and a lady with him.
MR. JOUR. Bless me! and I have some orders to give. Tell them I shall be here in a moment.