_Loy. (to Orgon)._ Your servant, sir. May heaven punish whoever wrongs you; and may it be as favorable to you, sir, as I wish! _Org. (aside to Cleante)._ This pleasant beginning agrees with my conjectures, and argues some sort of reconciliation. _Loy._ All your family was always dear to me, and I served your father. _Org._ I am sorry and ashamed to say that I do not know who you are, neither do I remember your name. _Loy._ My name is Loyal; I was born in Normandy, and am a royal bailiff in spite of envy. For the last forty years I have had the good fortune to fill the office, thanks to heaven, with great credit; and I come, sir, with your leave, to serve you the writ of a certain order. _Org._ What! you are here-- _Loy._ Gently, sir, I beg. It is merely a summons--a notice for you to leave this place, you and yours; to take away all your goods and chattels, and make room for others, without delay or adjournment, as hereby decreed. _Org._ I! leave this place? _Loy._ Yes, sir, if you please. The house incontestably belongs, as you are well aware, to the good Mr. Tartuffe. He is now lord and master of your estates, according to a deed I have in my keeping. It is in due form, and cannot be challenged. _Damis (to Mr. Loyal)._ This great impudence is, indeed, worthy of all admiration. _Loy. (to Damis.)_ Sir, I have nothing at all to do with you. (_Pointing to Orgon._) My business is with this gentleman. He is tractable and gentle, and knows too well the duty of a gentleman to try to oppose authority. _Org._ But-- _Loy._ Yes, sir; I know that you would not, for any thing, show contumacy; and that you will allow me, like a reasonable man, to execute the orders I have received. The scene gives in conclusion some spirited byplay of asides and interruptions from indignant members of the family. Then follows scene fifth, one exchange of conversation from which will sufficiently indicate the progress of the plot: _Org._ Well, mother, you see whether I am right; and you can judge of the rest by the writ. Do you at last acknowledge his rascality? _Per._ I am thunderstruck, and can scarcely believe my eyes and ears. The next scene introduces Valere, the noble lover of that daughter whom the infatuated father was bent on sacrificing to Tartuffe. Valere comes to announce that Tartuffe, the villain, has accused Orgon to the king. Orgon must fly. Valere offers him his own carriage and money--will, in fact, himself keep him company till he reaches a place of safety. As Orgon, taking hasty leave of his family, turns to go, he is encountered by--the following scene will show whom: _Tar. (stopping Orgon.)_ Gently, sir, gently; not so fast, I beg. You have not far to go to find a lodging, and you are a prisoner in the king's name. _Org._ Wretch! you had reserved this shaft for the last; by it you finish me, and crown all your perfidies.