_Enter BEVANNES and ALAIN, meeting._
_Bev._ Alain, who arrived just now?
_Alain._ The Doctor, sir. He's gone to Monsieur Laroque's room.
_Bev._ Is Mademoiselle Marguerite's carriage ready for me?
_Alain._ Quite ready, Monsieur.
_Bev._ Very well. Tell the ladies I shall be back in an hour, at most.
_Alain._ You'll have to drive fast, sir, to do it in the time.
_Bev._ I shall make my toilette less perfect than usual, and take an
elaborate revenge another time.
_Enter DESMARETS._
_Des._ Bevannes that you? where are you off to?
_Bev._ Home, for a short time.
_Des._ Better stay where you are--the ladies may want your assistance.
_Bev._ I know--at the ball--
_Des._ Ball? stuff! If I don't mistake, you'll have something else
to think of. Alain, let that prescription be sent to the village
immediately.
_Alain._ Yes, Doctor. [_Exit._
_Bev._ Why, what's the matter?
_Des._ Old Laroque is very ill to-night. By the by, what's this he told
me about a marriage in the family?
_Bev._ Quite true. The fair Marguerite has become alive to my
merits--she knows me at last.
_Des._ And accepts you?
_Bev._ Of course.
_Des._ Little fool.
_Bev._ Sir!
_Des._ I don't mean _you_.
_Bev._ Ah!
_Des._ I tell you what, my friend, you hardly know what you've
undertaken. I wish you joy--I wouldn't have the management of girl for a
trifle. Ecod! if she takes a fancy to the _moon_, she'll expect you to
give it her.
_Bev._ Oh, I'm not afraid. However, I'll go and dress, as it is her
wish, and take the chance of the ball coming off.
_Des._ And you've determined to marry her?
_Bev._ Most certainly.
_Des._ Spite of all her caprices?
_Bev._ Decidedly--
_Des._ And if she wants the moon--
_Bev._ She must fetch it herself. [_Exit._
_Des._ Queer match--what does it mean? As to her loving that fellow, I
don't believe a word of it. Now to the old man--it won't do to leave him
alone--he's got one of his wandering fits on him, and he'll be all over
the house if I don't look to him. What a nice quiet life a doctor's is.
[_Exit._