The Countess of Escarbagnas | Page 8

something strange had taken place between us.
HAR. Confound it all, Madam; let us cast aside all this foolery.
COUN. What do you mean by foolery?
HAR. I mean that I do not think it strange that you should yield to the viscount's merit; you are not the first woman in the world who plays such a part, and who has a receiver of taxes of whom the love and purse are betrayed for the first new comer who takes her fancy. But do not think it extraordinary that I do not care to be the dupe of an infidelity so common to coquettes of the period, and that I come before good company to say that I break with you, and that I, the receiver of taxes, will no more be taxed on your account.
COUN. It is really wonderful how angry lovers have become the fashion! We see nothing else anywhere. Come, come, Mr. Receiver, cast aside your anger, and come and take a seat to see the play.
HAR. I sit down? s'death! not I! (Showing MR. THIBAUDIER.) Look for a fool at your feet, my lady Countess; I give you up to my lord the viscount, and it is to him that I will send the letters I have received from you. My scene is ended, my part is played. Good night to all!
THI. We shall meet somewhere else, and I will show you that I am a man of the sword as well as of the pen.
HAR. Right, my good Mr. Thibaudier. (Exit.)
COUN. Such insolence confounds me!
VISC. The jealous, Madam, are like those who lose their cause; they have leave to say anything. Let us listen to the play now.

SCENE XXII.--THE COUNTESS, THE VISCOUNT, JULIA, MR. THIBAUDIER, JEANNOT.
JEAN. (to the VISCOUNT). Sir, here is a note which I have been asked to give to you immediately.
VISC. (_reads_). "As you may have some measures to take, I send you notice at once that the quarrel between your family and that of Julia's has just been settled, and that the condition of this agreement is your marriage with Julia. Good night!" (To JULIA) Truly, Madam, our part is also played.
The VISCOUNT, the COUNTESS, and MR. THIBAUDIER, all rise.
JU. Ah! Cl��ante, what happiness is this! Our love could scarcely hope for such a happy end.
COUN. What is it you mean?
VISC. It means, Madam, that I marry Julia; and if you will believe me, in order to make the play complete at all points, you will marry Mr. Thibaudier, and give Andr��e to his footman, whom he will make his valet-de-chambre.
COUN. What! you deceive thus a person of my rank!
VISC. No offence to you, Madam, but plays require such things.
COUN. Yes, Mr. Thibaudier, I will marry you to vex everybody.
THI. You do me too much honour, Madam.
VISC. Allow us, Madam, in spite of our vexation, to see the end of the play.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Countess of Escarbagnas (La Comtesse D'Escarbagnas), by Moli��re (Poquelin)
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