VAL. No, no; tell me the name of the person whom I have to influence. ASC. It is not yet time, but it is a person who is nearly related to you. VAL. Your words amaze me; would to Heaven my sister... ASC. This is not the proper time to explain myself, I tell you. VAL. Why so? ASC. For a certain reason. You shall know my secret when I know yours. VAL. I must have another person's permission before I can discover it to you. ASC. Obtain it then; and when we shall have explained ourselves we shall see which of us two will best keep his word. VAL. Farewell, I accept your offer. ASC. And I will be bound by it, Valère. (_Exit Valère_.) FROS. He thinks you will help him as a brother. SCENE III.--LUCILE, ASCANIO, MARINETTE, FROSINE. LUC. (_Saying the first words to Marinette_). I have done it; it is thus I can revenge myself; if this step torments him, it will be a great consolation to me... Brother, you perceive a change in me; I am resolved to love Valère, after so much ill-usage; he shall become the object of my affection. ASC. What do you say, sister? How do you change so suddenly? This inconstancy seems to me very strange. LUC. Your change of disposition has more cause to surprise me. You formerly used always to plead in favour of Valère; for his sake you have accused me of caprice, blind cruelty, pride and injustice; and now, when I wish to love him, my intention displeases you, and I find you speaking against his interest. ASC. I abandon his interest, sister, out of regard to yours. I know he is under the sway of another fair one; it will be a discredit to your charms if you call him back, and he does not come. LUC. If that is all, I shall take care not to suffer a defeat; I know what I am to believe of his passion; he has shown it very clearly, at least so I think; you may safely discover my sentiments to him: or if you refuse to do it, I, myself shall let him know that his passion has touched me. What! you stand thunderstruck, brother, at those words! ASC. Oh, sister, if I have any influence over you, if you will listen to a brother's entreaties, abandon such a design; do not take away Valère from the love of a young creature, in whom I feel great interest, and for whom, upon my word, you ought to feel some sympathy. The poor unfortunate woman loves him to distraction; to me alone she has disclosed her passion; I perceive in her heart such a tender affection, that it might soften even the most relentless being. Yes, you yourself will pity her condition when she shall become aware with what stroke you threaten to crush her love; so sure am I of the excess of her grief, that I am certain, sister, she will die, if you rob her of the man she adores. Éraste is a match that ought to satisfy you, and the mutual affection you have for one another... LUC. Brother, it is sufficient! I do not know in whom you take such an interest; but let us not continue this conversation, I beg of you; leave me a little to my own thoughts.