By Heaven, account to me for this frightful piece of luck. Could it be credited, without having seen it? [Footnote: Compare with Molière's description of the game of piquet Pope's poetical history of the game of Ombre in the third Canto of _The Rape of the Lock._] ER. It is in play that luck is mostly seen. ALC. 'Sdeath, you shall judge for yourself if I am wrong, and if it is without cause that this accident enrages me. For here are our two hands, which I carry about me on purpose. Stay, here is my hand, as I told you; and here ... ER. I understood everything from your description, and admit that you have a good cause to be enraged. But I must leave you on certain business. Farewell. But take comfort in your misfortune. ALC. Who; I? I shall always have that luck on my mind; it is worse than a thunderbolt to me. I mean to shew it to all the world. (_He retires and on the point of returning, says meditatively_) A six of hearts! two points. ER. Where in the world are we? Go where we will, we see nothing but fools. SCENE III.--ÉRASTE, LA MONTAGNE. ER. Ha! how long you have been, and how you have made me suffer. LA M. Sir, I could not make greater haste. ER. But at length do you bring me some news? LA M. Doubtless; and by express command, from her you love, I have something to tell you. ER. What? Already my heart yearns for the message. Speak! LA M. Do you wish to know what it is? ER. Yes; speak quickly. LA M. Sir, pray wait. I have almost run myself out of breath. ER. Do you find any pleasure in keeping me in suspense? LA M. Since you wish to know at once the orders which I have received from this charming person, I will tell you.... Upon my word, without boasting of my zeal, I went a great way to find the lady; and if... ER. Hang your digressions! LA M. Fie! you should somewhat moderate your passion; and Seneca... ER. Seneca is a fool in your mouth, since he tells me nothing of all that concerns me. Tell me your message at once. LA M. To satisfy you, Orphise ... An insect has got among your hair. ER. Let it alone. LA M. This lovely one sends you word ... ER. What? LA M. Guess. ER. Are you aware that I am in no laughing mood? LA M. Her message is, that you are to remain in this place, that in a short time you shall see her here, when she has got rid of some country-ladies, who greatly bore all people at court. ER. Let us, then stay in the place she has selected. But since this message affords me some leisure, let me muse a little. (_Exit La Montagne_). I propose to write for her some verses to an air which I know she likes. (_He walks up and down the stage in a reverie_). SCENE IV.--ORANTE, CLIMÈNE, ÉRASTE (_at the side of the stage, unseen_.) OR. Everyone will be of my opinion. CL. Do you think you will carry your point by obstinacy? OR. I think my reasons better than yours. CL. I wish some one could hear both.