from which I expected so little, has proved more serviceable to your love than could have been imagined. This Inez has given up all claim to you. As it became necessary to reveal this secret, on account of your marriage, we two informed your father of it; a letter of his deceased wife has confirmed all. Pursuing our reasoning yet farther, and being rather fortunate as well as skilful, we have so cunningly interwoven the interests of Albert and of Polydore, so gradually unfolded all this mystery to the latter, that we might not make things appear too terrible to him in the beginning, and, in a word, to tell you all, so prudently led his mind step by step to a reconciliation, that Polydore is now as anxious as your father to legitimize that connection which is to make you happy. ASC. Ah! Frosine, what happiness you prepare for me. ... What do I, not owe to your fortunate zeal? FROS. Moreover, the good man is inclined to be merry, and has forbidden us to mention anything of this affair to his son. SCENE VI.--POLYDORE, ASCANIO, FROSINE. POL. Come hither, daughter, since I may give you this name now, for I know the secret which this disguise conceals. You have shown so much resolution, ingenuity, and archness in your stratagem, that I forgive you; I think my son will esteem himself happy when he knows that you are the object of his love. You are worth to him more than all the treasures in this world; and I will tell him so. But here he comes: let us divert ourselves with this event. Go and tell all the people to come hither immediately. ASC. To obey you, sir, shall be the first compliment I pay you. SCENE VII.--MASCARILLE, POLYDORE, VALÈRE. MASC. Misfortunes are often revealed by Heaven: I dreamt last night of pearls unstrung and broken eggs, sir. This dream depresses my spirits. [Footnote: In a little book still sold on the quays of Paris, and called _la Cle des Songes_, it is said that to dream of pearls denotes "embarrassed affairs," and of broken eggs, "loss of place and lawsuits."] VAL. Cowardly rascal! POL. Valère, an encounter awaits you, wherein all your valour will be necessary: you are to cope with a powerful adversary. MASC. Will nobody stir to prevent people from cutting each other's throats? As for me, I do not care about it; but if any fatal accident should deprive you of your son, do not lay the blame on me. POL. No, no; in this case I myself urge him to do what he ought. MASC. What an unnatural father! VAL. This sentiment, sir, shows you to be a man of honour; I respect you the more for it. I know I have offended you, I am to blame for having done all this without a father's consent; but however angry you may be with me, Nature always will prevail. You do what is truly honourable, in not believing that I am to be terrified by the threats of Éraste.