The Forfeiture | Page 7

infinite joy. You are going to deliver
me from the tyranny of my sister. And the more I hate that nephew, the
more I going to settle everything for you on that score. But tell me first:
what part should I take? Speak slowly, for I love to hear you. When
you breathe I listen. Speak of your love and let me reply. Speak.
FRONTIN: If I am silent it's because the crowd of my passions is
rolling in me, as in you, and are preventing me from speaking. For in
vivacity, I dare equal you. But my love has reduced me to silence. I was
unable to say a word, 'cause you were speaking.
ARAMINTE: You are all wit, although you are quiet. For you, your
manners, your looks, all speak loudly. All speak your heart, my dear

Chevalier de Cique!
FRONTIN: Everything in you is beautiful. All of me loves you.
Everything in me, everything in you, a charming agreement that
demands marriage.
ARAMINTE: It's true. But I fear this forfeiture which preoccupies me.
And I fear still more this severe sister who believes that, alas, it is a
crime to have a heart; she made me take a vow of indifference when I
would have broken it in my childhood. That is to say from the age
when my discernment had been able to distinguish you, to choose you
for my lover. Yes, my dear Chevalier, yes, I repeat it to you, I love you,
I love you too late. I regret without cease the years I have spent without
knowing you.
FRONTIN: I'm only twenty five but I would have come into the world
twenty years sooner to know you. Yes, time is dear to us, as it ought to
be. Let us see quickly. Let's decide. Have you resolved?
ARAMINTE: I've looked, looked again, decided, determined,
concluded. Ought I to be in fear of this savage sister who hates
marriage for herself and for me? You will be my husband from
tomorrow, from this evening.
FRONTIN: But to the essential. You must be able, before declaring our
business to your sister, to get rid of those promissory notes to Valere.
Reach an agreement with him. Is your money ready?
ARAMINTE: Yes, I've withdrawn everything. It is in my interest this
forfeiture be taken care of, alas, before my sister learns of my marriage.
I am prudent and wise.
FRONTIN: Haste! I am going to see my illustrious relatives to tell
them the role I am taking.
(Exit Frontin)
ARAMINTE: Let's quickly send a lackey to Valere. But what do I see!
My sister returning from the notary. She's going to be irritated about
the money I've taken out. He's just informed her.
(Enter Belise. They don't speak to each other at first.)
BELISE: Yes, my sister is going to see the Notary. She's going to guess
the mystery.
ARAMINTE: I see she's upset. Oh, I hear her rage. Where shall I tell
her I intend to place the money?
BELISE: Ah, I see that she knows it. What it will cost me to say that

this money is for my marriage?
ARAMINTE: Sooner or later my sister must confide in me.
BELISE: I tremble. Dare I make her my full confidante? Let's try. Let's
talk to her.
ARAMINTE: (aloud) Sister.
BELISE: (aloud) Sister, I think-- (aside) Oh, fear seizes me!
ARAMINTE: (aside) Shame smothers my voice.
BELISE:(aloud) To put money when the law--
ARAMINTE: When one disposes of joint funds by oneself--
BELISE: One ought to warn of taking it, but one dares not--
ARAMINTE: One ought to confide in her sister.
BELISE: Yes, of course--
ARAMINTE: One ought--
BELISE: One is afraid--
ARAMINTE: It's I.--
BELISE: I admit it--
ARAMINTE: I was wrong.
BELISE: One ought to ask pardon--
ARAMINTE: A fault so huge--
BELISE: Yes, when one is promised--
ARAMINTE: Sister, I ask your pardon--
BELISE: Pardon, sister--
ARAMINTE: Pardon.
BELISE: Pardon.
ARAMINTE: What? We are asking each other for pardon?
BELISE: But truly, you ask me. What is your offense then?
ARAMINTE: I believe it was you who asked first. What have you done
to me?
BELISE: But you, too, sister?
ARAMINTE: Tell me your secrets.
BELISE: Open your heart to me.
ARAMINTE: Oh, well. You will doubtless have learned from the
notary that I have taken this money.
BELISE: Your business. You are right to take your wealth. For each
can dispose of hers as she pleases.
ARAMINTE: To place it elsewhere, I thought I had the right to take it.
BELISE: You don't owe me any accounting. I have taken mine as well.

ARAMINTE: So much the better, sister, so much the better. On that
account I calm my curiosity.
BELISE: You have good sense. You are not being irritating.
ARAMINTE: One is