ARAMINTE: It's true. But I fear this forfeiture which preoccupies me. And I fear still more this severe sister who believes that, alas, it is a crime to have a heart; she made me take a vow of indifference when I would have broken it in my childhood. That is to say from the age when my discernment had been able to distinguish you, to choose you for my lover. Yes, my dear Chevalier, yes, I repeat it to you, I love you, I love you too late. I regret without cease the years I have spent without knowing you. FRONTIN: I'm only twenty five but I would have come into the world twenty years sooner to know you. Yes, time is dear to us, as it ought to be. Let us see quickly. Let's decide. Have you resolved? ARAMINTE: I've looked, looked again, decided, determined, concluded. Ought I to be in fear of this savage sister who hates marriage for herself and for me? You will be my husband from tomorrow, from this evening. FRONTIN: But to the essential. You must be able, before declaring our business to your sister, to get rid of those promissory notes to Valere. Reach an agreement with him. Is your money ready? ARAMINTE: Yes, I've withdrawn everything. It is in my interest this forfeiture be taken care of, alas, before my sister learns of my marriage. I am prudent and wise. FRONTIN: Haste! I am going to see my illustrious relatives to tell them the role I am taking. (Exit Frontin) ARAMINTE: Let's quickly send a lackey to Valere. But what do I see! My sister returning from the notary. She's going to be irritated about the money I've taken out. He's just informed her. (Enter Belise. They don't speak to each other at first.) BELISE: Yes, my sister is going to see the Notary. She's going to guess the mystery. ARAMINTE: I see she's upset. Oh, I hear her rage. Where shall I tell her I intend to place the money? BELISE: Ah, I see that she knows it. What it will cost me to say that this money is for my marriage? ARAMINTE: Sooner or later my sister must confide in me. BELISE: I tremble. Dare I make her my full confidante? Let's try. Let's talk to her. ARAMINTE: (aloud) Sister. BELISE: (aloud) Sister, I think-- (aside) Oh, fear seizes me! ARAMINTE: (aside) Shame smothers my voice. BELISE:(aloud) To put money when the law-- ARAMINTE: When one disposes of joint funds by oneself-- BELISE: One ought to warn of taking it, but one dares not-- ARAMINTE: One ought to confide in her sister. BELISE: Yes, of course-- ARAMINTE: One ought-- BELISE: One is afraid-- ARAMINTE: It's I.-- BELISE: I admit it-- ARAMINTE: I was wrong. BELISE: One ought to ask pardon-- ARAMINTE: A fault so huge-- BELISE: Yes, when one is promised-- ARAMINTE: Sister, I ask your pardon-- BELISE: Pardon, sister-- ARAMINTE: Pardon. BELISE: Pardon. ARAMINTE: What? We are asking each other for pardon? BELISE: But truly, you ask me. What is your offense then? ARAMINTE: I believe it was you who asked first. What have you done to me? BELISE: But you, too, sister?