The World's Greatest Books [Volumes 1-15, 17-20]

Arnolphe : No. Have you heard his name ?

Horace: Enrique.

Arnolphe : No.

Horace : My father speaks of him and of his return as though I ought to know all about him. He writes me that they are meeting one another on some important business.

Arnolphe: I shall certainly be very pleased to see him, and I will do my best to entertain him. {After having read the letter) Even if he had not taken the trouble to write to me, you were quite welcome to avail yourself of any means I possess.

Horace : I am a man who takes persons at their word, and just now I am in need of a hundred pistoles.

Arxulphe: Well, you oblige me by making use of me in this way. I am glad I have the money on me. Keep the purse also. How do you like this town?

Horace: It seems to be well populated and to have splendid buildings; I should think its amusements are wonderful too.

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Arnolphe: Everyone can find pleasures to suit his taste; but those whom one christens gallants have every reason to be content with the country, for the women are born coquettes. Both the blondes and the brunettes have the same charming disposition, and the husbands, too, are the most easy-going in the world. Have you had any success as yet?

Horace: I will confess to you quite frankly that my heart has been captured by a beauty here. My little attentions met with so much success from the first that she very kindly welcomed me to the house, and, without boasting too much or doing her any injury, I may claim that the affair is going very well with me.

Arnolphe (laughing) : And who is she?

Horace {pointing to the house) : A young girl who lives in that red house over there. She is simple in all conscience, thanks to the unexampled folly of a man who thus hides her from all intercourse with the world. But, despite the ignorance in which she is being enslaved, she has many shining and enthralling charms, and a manner indescribably gentle and engaging, against which the heart is quite defenceless. But perhaps you know her; this young star of love, this casket of charms, is called Agnes.

Arnolphe (aside): Ah! I shall betray myself!

Horace: As for the man, I think he is called Zouss or Source. From what I hear, he is rich, but he certainly lacks sense. Do you know him?

Arnolphe (aside) : What a bitter pill!

Horace: Why don"t you speak?

Arnolphe : Oh! yes, I know him.

Horace: He is a fool, is he not?

Ar nolp h e : Eh

Horace: You mean yes. A fool and ridiculously jealous! I see it is exactly as I was told. Agnes is a charming jewel; it would be a sin to leave so pure a beauty in the power of that strange fellow. All my ef

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forts, all my dearest wishes are to gain her. The money I have just borrowed so freely from you is to enable me to accomplish this noble undertaking. You seem distressed; can it really be that you disapprove of the design I have planned?

Arnolphe: No, I was only thinking.

Horace: The conversation wearies you. Good-bye. I will call on you very soon to thank you. You will keep my secret. [Exit.

Arnolphe: I feel

Horace (returning) : Above all, from my father— he perhaps might be angry about it. [Exit.

Arnolphe : Oh! what I have suffered during this conversation! Never was a man so troubled. With what imprudence and with what extreme haste did he come to tell me this affair! Did any blunderer ever show himself madder? Yet, after suffering so much, I ought to have controlled myself until I had found out whether I had reason for my fears. I tremble to think of the misery which may come to me, for one often seeks more than one wishes to find. [Exit.

Act II

[Enter Agnes and Arnolphe.

Agnes has told Arnolphe that during his absence a

handsome young man, i.e., Horace, gained access

to the house, swore he loved her better than anyone

else had ever been loved, and said the prettiest things

imaginable to her, things which thrilled her zvith

pleasure. Arnolphe warns her that to receive such

attentions is a mortal sin, and orders her the next

time the young man calls to slam the door in his face,

and if he knocks to throw stones at him from her

window.

Arnolphe (seated) : I am going to marry you, Agnes,

and a hundred times a day you ought to bless your lucky

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fate to contemplate the low estate from which" you sprang, and at the same time to admire my goodness, which, from the mean condition of a poor village girl, has raised you to the rank of a worthy citizen's wife. Marriage, Agnes, is no laughing matter, and you must understand that you are not raised to this position in order that you may be giddy, and have a good time. Your sex's business in this union is to be dependent; all authority is on the side of the beard. Beware of imitating those wicked coquettes about whose goings-on the whole city chatters, and don't let yourself yield to the attacks of the evil one. I mean, be deaf to the overtures of any young coxcomb. It is my honour, Agnes, that I leave with you, and this honour is delicate and easily wounded. Remember that in hell there are boiling cauldrons into which they throw wives who have led wicked lives—from which may Heaven preserve you. I have here in my pocket an important work which will teach you the duties of a wife. (He gets up) Come, let us now see if you can read it at all well. Agnes (reading) :