ALB. (_Not seeing Valère_). The more I recover from the confusion
into which I fell at first, the more I am astonished at the strange
things Polydore told me, and which my fear made me interpret in so
different a manner to what he intended. Lucile maintains that it is all
nonsense, and spoke to me in such a manner as leaves no room for
suspicion... Ha! sir, it is you whose unheard-of impudence sports with
my honour, and invents this base story?
MASC. Pray, Signor Albert, use milder terms, and do not be so angry with
your son-in-law.
ALB. How! son-in-law, rascal? You look as if you were the main-spring of
this intrigue, and the originator of it.
MASC. Really I see no reason for you to fly in such a passion.
ALB. Pray, do you think it right to take away the character of my
daughter, and bring such a scandal upon a whole family?
MASC. He is ready to do all you wish.
ALB. I only want him to tell the truth. If he had any inclination for
Lucile, he should have courted her in an honourable and open way; he
should have acted as he ought, and asked her father's leave; and not
have had recourse to this cowardly contrivance, which offends modesty so
much.
MASC. What! Lucile is not secretly engaged to my master?
ALB. No, rascal, nor ever will be.
MASC. Not quite so fast! If the thing is already done, will you give
your consent to ratify that secret engagement?
ALB. And if it is certain that it is not so, will you have your bones
broken?
VAL. It is easy, sir, to prove to you that he speaks the truth.
ALB. Good! there is the other! Like master, like man. O! what impudent
liars!
MASC. Upon the word of a man of honour, it is as I say.
VAL. Why should we deceive you?
ALB. (_Aside_) They are two sharpers that know how to play into
each other's hands.
MASC. But let us come to the proof, and without quarrelling. Send for
Lucile, and let her speak for herself.
ALB. And what if she should prove you a liar?
MASC. She will not contradict us, sir; of that I am certain. Promise to
give your consent to their engagement; and I will suffer the severest
punishment if, with her own mouth, she does not confess to you that she
is engaged to Valère, and shares his passion.
ALB. We shall see this presently. (_He knocks at his door_).
MASC. (To Valère). Courage, Sir; all will end well.
ALB. Ho! Lucile, one word with you.
VAL. (_To Mascarille_), I fear...
MASC. Fear nothing.