A Selection from the Comedies of Marivaux

by Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux

[165] SURPRISE. The feminine form of the participle is admissible after on.

[166] UN MAUVAIS ESPRIT. Referring to Silvia, although the idea is clear, grammatical consistency is overthrown in the next line when the pronoun la is used instead of le.

[167] DE LA CONSÉQUENCE, 'What may be inferred.'

[168] EST. Some later editions give soit. This difference in the mode used in various editions is but another proof of the elasticity of the subjunctive in French. Either mode is here correct, the indicative expressing greater positiveness, and the subjunctive more doubt, in the supposition.

[169] J'Y METS BON ORDRE, 'I look after that,' or 'I see that he doesn't. See note 104.

[170] APOSTILLE, 'Observation.' Literally 'postscript,' from ad and postillam (low Latin for 'explanation,' 'note.' Littré).

[171] AIMABLE, 'Courteous.'

[172] QUE TU NE ME CHAGRINES. See note 137.

[173] JE T'EN OFFRE AUTANT, 'I can say the same to you.'

[174] MOUVEMENTS. See note 159.