ER. (_Gives money to Ormin_). Gladly. (_Alone_). Would to Heaven, that at such a price I could get rid of all who trouble me! How ill-timed their visit is! At last I think I may go. Will any one else come to detain me? SCENE IV.--FILINTE, ÉRASTE. FIL. Marquis, I have just heard strange tidings. ER. What? FIL. That some one has just now quarrelled with you. ER. With me? FIL. What is the use of dissimulation? I know on good authority that you have been called out; and, as your friend, I come, at all events, to offer you my services against all mankind. ER. I am obliged to you; but believe me you do me.... FIL. You will not admit it; but you are going out without attendants. Stay in town, or go into the country, you shall go nowhere without my accompanying you. ER. (_Aside_). Oh, I shall go mad. FIL. Where is the use of hiding from me? ER. I swear to you, Marquis, that you have been deceived. FIL. It is no use denying it. ER. May Heaven smite me, if any dispute.... FIL. Do you think I believe you? ER. Good Heaven, I tell you without concealment that.... FIL. Do not think me such a dupe and simpleton. ER. Will you oblige me? FIL. No. ER. Leave me, I pray. FIL. Nothing of the sort, Marquis. ER. An assignation to-night at a certain place.... FIL. I do not quit you. Wherever it be, I mean to follow you. ER. On my soul, since you mean me to have a quarrel, I agree to it, to satisfy your zeal. I shall be with you, who put me in a rage, and of whom I cannot get rid by fair means. FIL. That is a sorry way of receiving the service of a friend. But as I do you so ill an office, farewell. Finish what you have on hand without me. ER. You will be my friend when you leave me. (_Alone_). But see what misfortunes happen to me! They will have made me miss the hour appointed. SCENE V.--DAMIS, L'ÉPINE, ÉRASTE, LA RIVIÈRE, _and his Companions_. DAM. (_Aside_). What! the rascal hopes to obtain her in spite of me! Ah! my just wrath shall know how to prevent him! ER. (_Aside_). I see some one there at Orphise's door. What! must there always be some obstacle to the passion she sanctions! DAM. (_To L'Epine_). Yes, I have discovered that my niece, in spite of my care, is to receive Éraste in her room to-night, alone. LA R. (_To his companions_). What do I hear those people saying of our master? Let us approach safely, without betraying ourselves. DAM. (_To L'Epine_). But before he has a chance of accomplishing his design, we must pierce his treacherous heart with a thousand blows. Go and fetch those whom I mentioned just now, and place them in ambush where I told you, so that at the name of Éraste they may be ready to avenge my honour, which his passion has the presumption to outrage; to break off the assignation which brings him here, and quench his guilty flame in his blood. LA R. (_Attacking Damis with his companions_). Before your fury can destroy him, wretch! you shall have to deal with us!