"_Eliza._ Well, cousin, this, I confess, was reasonable hypocrisy; you were the better for 't. _Olivia._ What hypocrisy? _E._ Why, this last deceit of your husband was lawful, since in your own defence. _O._ What deceit? I'd have you know I never deceived my husband. _E._ You do not understand me, sure; I say, this was an honest come-off, and a good one. But 'twas a sign your gallant had had enough of your conversation, since he could so dexterously cheat your husband in passing for a Woman. _O._ What d'ye mean, once more, With my gallant, and passing for a woman? _E._ What do you mean? you see your husband took him for a woman! _O._ Whom? _E._ Heyday! why the man he found with.... _O_. Lord, you rave sure! _E._ Why, did you not tell me last night.... Fy, this fooling is so insipid, 'tis offensive. _O._ And fooling with my honour will be more offensive.... _E._ O admirable confidence!... _O._ Confidence, to me! to me such language! nay, then I'll never see your face again.... Lettice, where are you? Let us begone from this censorious ill woman.... _E._ One word first, pray, madam; can you swear that whom your husband found you with... _O._ Swear! ay, that whosoever 'twas that stole up, unknown, into my room, when 'twas dark, I know not, whether man or woman, by heavens, by all that's good; or, may I never more have joys here, or in the other world! Nay, may I eternally-- _E._ Be damned. So, so, you are damned enough already by your oaths. . . . Yet take this advice with you, in this plain-dealing age, to leave off forswearing yourself.... _O._ O hideous, hideous advice! let us go out of the hearing of it. She will spoil us, Lettice."[278] Here is animation; and if I dared to relate the boldness and the asseveration in the night scene, it would easily appear that Mme Marneffe had a sister, and Balzac a predecessor.