JUL. Oh dear, Éraste! take care that we are not discovered. I am so
afraid of being seen with you; all would be lost after the command I
have received to the contrary.
ERA. I see nobody about.
JUL. (_to_ NÉRINE). Just keep watch, Nérine, and be careful that
nobody comes.
NER. (_going to the farther end of the stage_). Trust me for that: and
say all you have to say to each other.
JUL. Have you thought of anything to favour our plan, Éraste? And do
you think that we shall succeed in breaking off that marriage which my
father has taken into his head?
ERA. We are at least doing all we can for it, and we have ready many
schemes to bring such an absurd notion to naught.
NER. (_running towards_ JULIA). I say, here is your father.
JUL. Ah! let us separate quickly.
NER. No, no; don't go; I made a mistake.
JUL. How absurd you are, Nérine, to give us such a fright!
ERA. Yes, dear Julia, we have plenty of stratagems ready for the
purpose; and, in accordance with the permission you have given me, we
will not hesitate to make use of every means. Do not ask me what it is
we are going to do; you will have the fun of seeing it, and, as at a
comedy, it will be nice for you to have the pleasure of being
surprised without my letting you know beforehand what is going to take
place. This is telling you that we have many schemes in hand for the
occasion, and that our clever Nérine and the dexterous Sbrigani have
undertaken to bring the affair to a successful issue.
NER. Yes, we have indeed. Is your father crazy to think of entangling
you with his lawyer of Limoges; that Mr. de Pourceaugnac, whom he has
never seen in his life, and who comes by the coach to take you away
before our very eyes? Ought three or four thousand crowns, more or
less--and that, too, upon the word of your uncle--to make him refuse a
lover you like? Besides, are you made for a Limousin? If he has taken it
into his head to marry, why does he not take one of his own
countrywomen, and let Christians be at peace? The very name of
Pourceaugnac puts me in a frightful rage. I boil over with Mr. de
Pourceaugnac. If it were only because of the name, I would do anything
to prevent the match. No, you shall not be Mrs. de Pourceaugnac.
Pourceaugnac! Was ever such a name heard of![1] No, I could never put up
with Pourceaugnac; and we will abuse the man to such an extent, and play
him so many tricks, that he will have to return to Limoges, Mr. de
Pourceaugnac.
ERA. Here is our cunning Neapolitan, who will give us news.