JEANNOT.
JEAN. (_to the_ VISCOUNT). Sir, here is a note which I have been
asked to give to you immediately.
VISC. (_reads_). "As you may have some measures to take, I send
you notice at once that the quarrel between your family and that of
Julia's has just been settled, and that the condition of this
agreement is your marriage with Julia. Good night!" (_To_ JULIA)
Truly, Madam, our part is also played.
_The_ VISCOUNT, _the_ COUNTESS, _and_ MR. THIBAUDIER,
_all rise_.
JU. Ah! Cléante, what happiness is this! Our love could scarcely hope
for such a happy end.
COUN. What is it you mean?
VISC. It means, Madam, that I marry Julia; and if you will believe me,
in order to make the play complete at all points, you will marry Mr.
Thibaudier, and give Andrée to his footman, whom he will make his
valet-de-chambre.
COUN. What! you deceive thus a person of my rank!
VISC. No offence to you, Madam, but plays require such things.
COUN. Yes, Mr. Thibaudier, I will marry you to vex everybody.
THI. You do me too much honour, Madam.
VISC. Allow us, Madam, in spite of our vexation, to see the end of the
play.
THE END
FOOTNOTES:
[1] After the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1668, this newspaper never
ceased to attack Louis XIV. and the French nation. In 1672 Louis XIV.
attempted the conquest of Holland.
[2] The name given in the middle ages to a supposed Christian
sovereign and priest (presbyter) in the interior of Asia.
[3] Instead of naming the hotels (= mansions) of the great noblemen,
Julia names the hotels (= inns) of the time. She thus shows where the
countess had studied the aristocracy.
[4] They were pears 'de bon chrétien.' 'Choke-pears' renders rather
weakly the poires d'angoisse of Mr. Thibaudier.
[5] Compare 'Tartuffe,' act ii. scene iii.
[6] The Martial who _did not write verses_, sold perfumery, and was
valet-de-chambre to the king's brother. Martial, the Roman
epigrammatist, lived in the first century after Christ.