Scene VIII.—Enrique, Oronte, Chrysalde, Horace, Arnolphe, Georgette.

Georgette. Sir, if you do not come, we shall scarcely be able to hold Agnès; she is trying all she can to get away; I fear she will throw herself out of the window.

Arnolphe. Bring her to me, for I mean to take her away. (To HORACE). Do not be disturbed. Continual good fortune makes a man proud. Every dog has his day, as the proverb says.

Horace (aside). Good Heaven, what misfortune can equal mine? Was ever a man in such a mess as this?

Arnolphe (to Oronte). Hasten the day of the ceremony. I am bent on it, and invite myself beforehand.

Oronte. That is just my intention.

Scene IX.—Agnès, Oronte, Enrique, Arnolphe, Horace, Chrysalde, Alain, Georgette.

Arnolphe (to Agnès). Come hither, my beauty, whom they cannot hold, and who rebels. Here is your gallant, to whom, to make amends, you may make a sweet and humble curtsey. (To Horace). Farewell. The issue rather thwarts your desires; but all lovers are not fortunate.

Agnès. Horace, will you let me be carried off in this manner?

Horace. I scarcely know where I am, my sorrow is so great.

Arnolphe. Come along, chatterbox.

Agnès. I shall stay here.

Oronte. Tell us the meaning of this mystery. We are all staring at each other without being able to understand.

Arnolphe. I shall inform you at a more convenient time. Till then, good-bye.

Oronte. Where are you going? You do not speak to us as you should.

Arnolphe. I have advised you to complete the marriage, let Horace grumble as much as he likes.

Oronte. Ay; but to complete it, have you not heard—if they have told you all—that the lady concerned in this affair is in your house?—that she is the daughter of Enrique and of the lovely Angelica, who were privately married? Now, what was at the bottom of your talk just now?

Chrysalde. I too was astonished at his proceedings.

Arnolphe. What?

Chrysalde. My sister had a daughter by a secret marriage, whose existence was concealed from the whole family.

Oronte. And in order that nothing might be discovered, she was put out to nurse in the country by her husband, under a feigned name.

Chrysalde. At that time, fortune being against him, he was compelled to quit his native land.

Oronte. To encounter a thousand various dangers in far-distant countries, and beyond many seas.

Chrysalde. Where his industry has acquired what in his own land he lost through roguery and envy.