Jacques. I am well aware of it.

Valère. And that you do not know me yet?

Jacques. I ask your pardon.

Valère. You will thrash me, say you?

Jacques. I said so only in jest.

Valère. And I say, that I do not relish your jests. (Thrashing him with a stick.) This will teach you, that you are but a sorry clown.

Jacques (alone). The plague take my candour! it is a bad business: I give it up for the future, and I will no more speak the truth. I might put up with it from my master; he has some right to thrash me; but as for this Master Steward, I will have my revenge if I can.

Scene VII.—Mariane, Frosine, Master Jacques.

Frosine. Do you know, Master Jacques, if your master is at home?

Jacques. Yes, indeed, he is; I know it but too well.

Frosine. Tell him, pray, that we are here.

Scene VIII.—Mariane, Frosine.

Mariane. Ah! I feel very strange, Frosine! and, if I must tell you what I feel, I dread this interview!

Frosine. But why, and whence this uneasiness?

Mariane. Alas! can you ask me? and can you not imagine the alarms of any one at the sight of the rack to which she is going to be tied?

Frosine. I see well enough, that to die pleasantly Harpagon is not exactly the rack which you would care to embrace; and I can see by your face, that this young spark, of whom you spoke to me, comes afresh into your head.

Mariane. Yes! it is an accusation, Frosine, from which I shall not defend myself; and the respectful visits which he has paid us, have, I confess, made some impression on my heart.

Frosine. But have you ascertained who he is?

Mariane. No, I do not know who he is. But this I know, that he is made to be beloved: that, if things could be left to my choice, I would sooner have him than any other, and that he is the chief cause in making me feel that the husband whom they wish to give me is a terrible torment.

Frosine. Egad, all these youngsters are agreeable, and play their part well enough, but most of them are as poor as church mice: it will be much better for you to take an old husband who will make you a good settlement. I grant you that the senses will not find their account so well on the side I speak of, and that there are some little distastes to overcome with such a spouse; but that cannot last, and his death, believe me, will soon put you in a position to take one who is more amiable, and who will mend all things.

Mariane. Good gracious! Frosine, it is a strange thing that, to be happy, we should wish for or await the death of some one; the more so as death does not always accommodate itself to our projects.