Scene V.—Orgon, Madame Pernelle, Elmire, Cléante, Mariane, Damis, Dorine.

Orgon. Well! mother, do you see now whether I am right; and you may judge of the rest from the writ. Do you at last perceive his treacheries?

Madame Pernelle. I stand aghast, and feel as if dropped from the clouds!

Dorine (to Orgon). You are wrong to complain, you are wrong to blame him, and his pious designs are confirmed by this. His virtue is perfected in the love for his neighbour. He knows that worldly goods often corrupt people, and he wishes, from pure charity, to take everything away from you which might become an obstacle to your salvation.

Orgon. Hold your tongue. I must always be saying that to you.

Cléante (to Orgon). Let us decide what had best be done.

Elmire. Go and expose the audacity of the ungrateful wretch. This proceeding destroys the validity of the contract; and his treachery will appear too black to allow him to meet with the success which we surmise.

Scene VI.—Valére, Orgon, Madame Pernelle, Elmire, Cléante, Mariane, Damis, Dorine.

Valére. It is with great regret, Sir, that I come to afflict you; but I see myself compelled to it by pressing danger. A most intimate and faithful friend, who knows the interest which I take in you, has, for my sake, by a most hazardous step, violated the secrecy due to the affairs of the State, and has just sent me an intimation, in consequence of which you will be obliged to flee immediately. The scoundrel who has long imposed upon you has an hour since accused you to the King, and amongst other charges which he brings against you, has lodged in his hands important documents of a state-criminal, of which, he says, contrary to the duty of a subject, you have kept the guilty secret. I am ignorant of the details of the crime laid to your charge; but a warrant is out against you; and the better to execute it, he himself is to accompany the person who is to arrest you.

Cléante. These are his armed rights; and by this the traitor seeks to make himself master of your property.

Orgon. The man is, I own to you, a wicked brute!

Valére. The least delay may be fatal to you. I have my coach at the door to carry you off, with a thousand louis which I bring you. Let us lose no time; the blow is terrible, and is one of those which are best parried by flight. I offer myself to conduct you to a place of safety, and will accompany you to the end of your flight.

Orgon. Alas, what do I not over to your considerate efforts! I must await another opportunity to thank you; and I implore Heaven to be propitious enough to enable me one day to acknowledge this generous service. Farewell: be careful, the rest of you …

Cléante. Go quickly. We will endeavour, brother, to do what is necessary.

Scene VII.—Tartuffe, a Police Officer, Madame Pernelle, Orgon, Elmire, Cléante, Mariane, Valére, Damis, Dorine.

Tartuffe (stopping Orgon). Gently, Sir, gently, do not run so fast. You will not have to go far to find a lodging; we take you a prisoner in the King’s name.

Orgon. Wretch! you have reserved this blow for the last: this is the stroke, villain, by which you dispatch me; and which crowns all your perfidies.