The Love-Tiff | Page 4

some such trifle, he will not
be reassured.
MAR. How so?
GR.-RE. He is so very jealous.
MAR. Of Valère? Ha! a pretty fancy indeed! It could only be hatched
in your brain. I thought you a man of sense, and until now had a good
opinion of your intellect; but I see I was very much deceived. Have you
also got a touch of this distemper in your head?
GR.-RE. I jealous? Heaven forbid! and keep me from being so silly as
to go and make myself lean with any such grief. Your heart guarantees
your fidelity; besides, I have too good an opinion of myself to believe
that any other could please you after me. Where the deuce could you
find any one equal to me?
MAR. You really are right; that is as it should be. A jealous man should
never show his suspicions! All that he gains by it is to do himself harm,
and in this manner furthers the designs of his rival. Your distrust often
is the cause that a mistress pays attention to a man, before whose merits
your own have paled. I know a certain person who, were it not for the
preposterous jealousy of a rival, had never been so happy as he now is.
But, in any case, to show suspicion in love is acting a foolish part, and
after all is to make one's-self miserable for nothing. This, sir (_to
Éraste_), I mean as a hint to you.
ERAS. Very well, let us talk no more about it. What have you to say to
me?
MAR. You deserve to be kept in suspense, In order to punish you, I
ought to keep from you the great secret which has made me hunt for
you so long. Here, read this letter, and doubt no more. Read it aloud,
nobody listens.
ERAS. (_Reads_). "_You told me that your love was capable of doing
anything It may be crowned this very day, if you can but get my
father's consent. Acquaint him with the power you have over my heart;
I give you leave so to do; if his reply be favourable, I can answer for it

that I shall obey_." Ah I how happy am I! I ought to look upon you, the
bearer of this letter, as a divine creature.
GR.-RE. I told you so. Though you do not believe it, I am seldom
deceived in the things I ponder on.
ERAS. (_Reading the letter again_). "_Acquaint him with the power
you have over my heart; I give you leave so to do; if his reply be
favourable, I can answer for it that I shall obey_."
MAR. If I should tell her you are weak-minded enough to be jealous,
she would immediately disown such a letter as this.
ERAS. I beseech you, conceal from her a momentary fear, for which I
thought I had some slight foundation; or, if you do tell it her, say to her
at the same time that I am ready to atone for my fit of madness with my
life, and would die at her feet, if I have been capable of displeasing her.
MAR. Let us not talk of dying; this is no time for it.
ERAS. However, you have laid me under a great obligation; I intend
shortly to acknowledge in a handsome manner the trouble so gentle and
so lovely a messenger has taken.
MAR. That reminds me. Do you know where I looked for you just
now?
ERAS. Well?
MAR. Quite near the market-place; you know where that is.
ERAS. Where did you say?
MAR. There... in that shop where last month you generously and freely
promised me a ring.
ERAS. Um! I understand you.
GR.-RE. What a cunning jade!
ERAS. It is true; I have delayed too long to make good my promise to
you, but...
MAR. What I said, sir, was not because I wished you to make haste.
GR.-RE. Oh, no!
ERAS. (_Giving her his ring_). Perhaps this ring may please you;
accept it instead of the one I owe.
MAR. You are only jesting, sir; I should be ashamed to take it.
GR.-RE. Poor shame-faced creature! Take it without more ado; only
fools refuse what is offered them.
MAR. I will only accept it so that I may have something to remember
you by.

ERAS. When may I return thanks to that lovely angel?
MAR. Endeavour to gain over her father.
ERAS. But if he rejects me, should I...?
MAR. We will think about that when he does so! We will do our
utmost for you: one way or another she must be yours; do your best,
and we will do ours.
ERAS. Farewell! we shall know our fate to-day. (_Éraste reads the
letter again to himself_).
MAR.