The Love-Tiff | Page 5

(_To Gros-René_). Well, what shall we say of our love? You do
not speak to me of it.
GR.-RE. If such people as we wish to be married, the thing is soon
done. I will have you. Will you have me?
MAR. Gladly.
GR.-RE. Shake hands, that is enough.
MAR. Farewell, Gros-René, my heart's delight.
GR.-RE. Farewell, my star.
MAR. Farewell, fair fire-brand of my flame.
GR.-RE. Farewell, dear comet, rainbow of my soul. (_Exit Marinette_).
Heaven be praised, our affairs go on swimmingly. Albert is not a man
to refuse you anything.
ERAS. Valère is coming here.
GR.-RE. I pity the poor wretch, knowing what I do know.

SCENE III.--ÉRASTE, VALÈRE, GROS-RENÉ.
ERAS. Well, Valère?
VAL. Well, Éraste?
ERAS. How does your love prosper?
VAL. And how does yours?
ERAS. It grows stronger and stronger every day.
VAL. So does mine.
ERAS. For Lucile?
VAL. For her.
ERAS. Certainly, I must own, you are a pattern of uncommon
constancy.
VAL. And your perseverance will be a rare example to posterity.
ERAS. As for me, I am not very fond of that austere kind of love which
is satisfied with looks only; nor do I possess feelings lofty enough to

endure ill-treatment with constancy. In one word, when I really love, I
wish to be beloved again.
VAL. It is very natural, and I am of the same opinion. I would never do
homage to the most perfect object by whom I could be smitten, if she
did not return my passion.
ERAS. However, Lucile...
VAL. Lucile does willingly everything my passion can desire.
ERAS. You are easily satisfied then.
VAL. Not so easily as you may think.
ERAS. I, however, may, without vanity, believe that I am in her favour.
VAL. And I know that I have a very good share of it.
ERAS. Do not deceive yourself; believe me.
VAL. Believe me, do not be too credulous, and take too much for
granted.
ERAS. If I might show you a certain proof that her heart...but no, it
would too much distress you.
VAL. If I might discover a secret to you...but it might grieve you, and
so I will be discreet.
ERAS. You really urge me too far, and though much against my will, I
see I must lower your presumption. Read that.
VAL. (_After having read the letter_). These are tender words.
ERAS. You know the handwriting?
VAL. Yes, it is Lucile's.
ERAS. Well! where is now your boasted certainty...?
VAL. (_Smiling and going away_). Farewell, Éraste.
GR.-RE. He is mad, surely. What reason has he to laugh?
ERAS. He certainly surprises me, and between ourselves I cannot
imagine what the deuce of a mystery is hidden under this.
GR.-RE. Here comes his servant, I think.
ERAS. Yes, it is he; let us play the hypocrite, to set him talking about
his master's love.

SCENE IV.--ÉRASTE, MASCARILLE, GROS-RENÉ.
MASC. (_Aside_). No, I do not know a more wretched situation, than
to have a young master, very much in love.
GR.-RE. Good morning.
MASC. Good morning.

GR.-RE. Where is Mascarille going just now? What is he doing? Is he
coming back? Is he going away? Or does he intend to stay where he is?
MASC. No, I am not coming back, because I have not yet been where I
am going; nor am I going, for I am stopped; nor do I design to stay, for
this very moment I intend to be gone.
ERAS. You are very abrupt, Mascarille; gently.
MASC. Ha! Your servant, sir.
ERAS. You are in great haste to run away from us: what! do I frighten
you?
MASC. You are too courteous to do that.
ERAS. Shake hands; all jealousy is now at an end between us; we will
be friends; I have relinquished my love; henceforth you can have your
own way to further your happiness.
MASC. Would to Heaven it were true!
ERAS. Gros-René knows that I have already another flame elsewhere.
GR.-RE. Certainly; and I also give up Marinette to you.
MASC. Do not let us touch on that point; our rivalry is not likely to go
to such a length. But is it certain, sir, that you are no longer in love, or
do you jest?
ERAS. I have been informed that your master is but too fortunate in his
amours; I should be a fool to pretend any longer to gain the same
favours which that lady grants to him alone.
MASC. Certainly, you please me with this news. Though I was rather
afraid of you, with regard to our plans, yet you do wisely to slip your
neck out of the collar. You have done well to leave a house where you
were only caressed for form's sake; I, knowing all that was going on,
have many