our bumpkin, who, thinking to show what an admirable sportsman he was, shot him just in the forehead with a horse-pistol that he had brought with him, and cried out to me from a distance, "Ah! I've brought the beast down!" Good Heavens! did any one ever hear of pistols in stag-hunting? As for me, when I came to the spot, I found the whole affair so odd, that I put spurs to my horse in a rage, and returned home at a gallop, without saying a single word to that ignorant fool. ER. You could not have done better; your prudence was admirable. That is how we must get rid of bores. Farewell. DOR. When you like, we will go somewhere where we need not dread country-hunters. ER. (_Alone_). Very well. I think I shall lose patience in the end. Let me make all haste, and try to excuse myself. BALLET TO ACT II. _First Entry_. Bowlers stop Éraste to measure a distance about which there is a dispute. He gets clear of them with difficulty, and leaves them to dance a measure, composed of all the postures usual to that game. _Second Entry_. Little boys with slings enter and interrupt them, who are in their turn driven out by _Third Entry_. Cobblers, men and women, their fathers, and others, who are also driven out in their turn. _Fourth Entry_. A gardener, who dances alone, and then retires. * * * * * ACT III. SCENE I.--ÉRASTE, LA MONTAGNE. ER. It is true that on the one hand my efforts have succeeded; the object of my love is at length appeased. But on the other hand I am wearied, and the cruel stars have persecuted my passion with double fury. Yes, Damis, her guardian, the worst of bores, is again hostile to my tenderest desires, has forbidden me to see his lovely niece, and wishes to provide her to-morrow with another husband. Yet Orphise, in spite of his refusal, deigns to grant me this evening a favour; I have prevailed upon the fair one to suffer me to see her in her own house, in private. Love prefers above all secret favours; it finds a pleasure in the obstacle which it masters; the slightest conversation with the beloved beauty becomes, when it is forbidden, a supreme favour. I am going to the rendezvous; it is almost the hour; since I wish to be there rather before than after my time. LA M. Shall I follow you? ER. No. I fear least you should make me known to certain suspicious persons. LA M. But .... ER. I do not desire it. LA M. I must obey you. But at least, if at a distance.... ER. For the twentieth time will you hold your tongue? And will you never give up this practice of perpetually making yourself a troublesome servant? SCENE II.--CARITIDÈS; ÉRASTE.