You know better than I, that, whatever we undertake, money is the masterkey to all great plans, and that this sweet metal, which distracts so many, promotes our triumphs, in love as in war. You seem vexed? Can it be that you disapprove of my design?

Arnolphe. No; but I was thinking…

Horace. This conversation wearies you? Farewell. I will soon pay you a visit to return thanks.

Arnolphe(thinking himself alone). What! must it…

Horace(returning). Once again, pray be discreet; do not go and spread my secret abroad.

Arnolphe(thinking himself alone). I feel within my soul…

Horace(returning again). And above all to my father, who would perhaps get enraged, if he knew of it.

Arnolphe(expectingHORACEto return again). Oh!…

Scene VII.—Arnolphe, alone.

Oh, what I have endured during this conversation! Never was trouble of mind equal to mine! With what rashness and extreme haste did he come to tell me of this affair! Though my second name keeps him at fault, did ever any blunderer run on so furiously? But, having endured so much, I ought to have refrained until I had learned that which I have reason to fear, to have drawn out his foolish chattering to the end, and ascertained their secret understanding completely. Let me try to overtake him; I fancy he is not far off. Let me worm from him the whole mystery. I tremble for the misfortune which may befall me; for we often seek more than we wish to find.

ACT III

Scene I.—Arnolphe, Agnès, Alain, Georgette.

Arnolphe. Yes, all has gone well; my joy is extreme. You have obeyed my orders to perfection, and brought the fair seducer to utter confusion. See what it is to have a wise counsellor. Your innocence, Agnès, had been betrayed; look what you had been brought to, before you had been aware of it. You were treading, deprived of my warning, right-down the broad path to hell and perdition. The way of all these young fops is but too well known. They have their fine rolls, plenty of ribbons and plumes, big wigs, good teeth, a smooth address; but I tell you they have the cloven foot beneath; and they are very devils, whose corrupt appetites try to prey upon the honour of women. This time, however, thanks to the care that has been taken, you have escaped with your virtue. The style in which I saw you throw that stone at him, which has dashed the hopes of all his plans, still more determines me not to delay the marriage for which I told you to prepare. But, before all, it is well I should speak a few words with you which may be salutary. (To Georgette and Alain). Bring out a chair in the open air. As for you, if you ever…

Georgette. We shall take care to remember all your instructions, that other gentleman imposed on us, but…

Alain. If he ever gets in here, may I never drink another drop. Besides he is a fool. He gave us two gold crowns the other day, which were under weight.

Arnolphe. Well, get what I ordered for supper; and as to the contract I spoke of, let one of you fetch the notary who lives at the corner of the market-place.