Valère. Do not make my advise your excuse. Your resolution was taken beforehand; and you catch at a frivolous pretext to justify the breaking of your word.

Mariane. Very true, and well put.

Valère. No doubt; and you never had any real affection for me.

Mariane. Alas! think so, if you like.

Valère. Yes, yes, if I like; but my offended feelings may perhaps forestall you in such a design; and I know where to offer both my heart and my hand.

Mariane. Ah! I have no doubt of it; and the love which merit can command …

Valère. For Heaven’s sake, let us drop merit. I have but little, no doubt; and you have given proof of it. But I hope much from the kindness of some one whose heart is open to me, and who will not be ashamed to consent to repair my loss.

Mariane. The loss is not great: and you will easily enough console yourself for this change.

Valère. I shall do my utmost, you may depend. A heart that forgets us wounds our self-love; we must do our best to forget it also; if we do not succeed, we must at least pretend to do so: for the meanness is unpardonable of still loving when we are forsaken.

Mariane. This is, no doubt, an elevated and noble sentiment.

Valère. It is so; and every one must approve of it. What! would you have me forever to nourish my ardent affection for you, and not elsewhere bestow that heart which you reject, whilst I see you, before my face, pass into the arms of another?

Mariane. On the contrary; as for me, that is what I would have you do, and I wish it were done already.

Valère. You wish it?

Mariane. Yes.

Valère. That is a sufficient insult, Madam; and I shall satisfy you at this very moment. (He pretends to go).

Mariane. Very well.

Valère (coming back). Remember at least, that you yourself drive me to this extremity.

Mariane. Yes.

Valère (coming back once more). And that I am only following your example.

Mariane. Very well, my example.

Valère (going). That will do: you shall be obeyed on the spot.

Mariane. So much the better.

Valère (coming back again). This is the last time that you will ever see me.

Mariane. That is right.