LEL. (_To Sganarelle_). You also told me that she, from whose hands you had received this pledge of her love, was joined to you in the bonds of wedlock. SGAN. No doubt (_pointing to his wife_), for I snatched it from her, and should not have discovered her wickedness had I not done so. SGAN.'S WIFE. What do you mean by your groundless complaint? I found this portrait at my feet by accident. After you had stormed without telling me the cause of your rage, I saw this gentleman (_pointing to Lelio_)nearly fainting, asked him to come in, but did not even then discover that he was the original of the picture. CEL. I was the cause of the portrait being lost; I let it fall when swooning, and when you (_to Sganarelle_) kindly carried me into the house. MAID. You see that without my help you had still been at a loss, and that you had some need of hellebore. [Footnote: Among the ancients the _helleborus officinalis_ or _orientalis_ was held to cure insanity; hence the allusion.] SGAN. (_Aside_). Shall we believe all this? I have been very much frightened for my brow. SGAN.'S WIFE. I have not quite recovered from my fear; however agreeable credulity may be, I am both to be deceived. SGAN. (_To his wife_). Well, let us mutually suppose ourselves to be people of honour. I risk more on my side than you do on yours; accept, therefore, without much ado, what I propose. SGAN.'S WIFE. Be it so, but wo be to you if I discover anything. CEL. (_To Lelio, after whispering together_). Ye heavens! if it be so, what have I done? I ought to fear the consequences of my own anger! Thinking you false, and wishing to be avenged, I in an unhappy moment complied with my father's wishes, and but a minute since engaged myself to marry a man whose hand, until then, I always had refused. I have made a promise to my father, and what grieves me most is... But I see him coming. LEL. He shall keep his word with me. SCENE XXIII.--GORGIBUS, CELIA, LELIO, SGANARELLE, SGANARELLE'S WIFE, CELIA'S MAID. LEL. Sir, you see I have returned to this town, inflamed with the same ardour, and now I suppose you will keep your promise, which made me hope to marry Celia, and thus reward my intense love. GORG. Sir, whom I see returned to this town inflamed with the same ardour, and who now supposes I will keep my promise, which made you hope to marry Celia, and thus reward your intense love, I am your lordship's very humble servant. LEL. What, sir, is it thus you frustrate my expectations? GORG. Ay, sir, it is thus I do my duty, and my daughter obeys me too. CEL. My duty compels me, father, to make good your promise to him. GORG. Is this obeying my commands as a daughter ought to do? Just now you were very kindly disposed towards Valere, but you change quickly... I see his father approaching, who certainly comes to arrange about the marriage. SCENE XXIV.--VILLEBREQUIN, GORGIBUS, CELIA, LELIO, SGANARELLE, SGANARELLE'S WIFE, CELIA'S MAID.