ERAS. However, you have laid me under a great obligation; I intend shortly to acknowledge in a handsome manner the trouble so gentle and so lovely a messenger has taken. MAR. That reminds me. Do you know where I looked for you just now? ERAS. Well? MAR. Quite near the market-place; you know where that is. ERAS. Where did you say? MAR. There... in that shop where last month you generously and freely promised me a ring. ERAS. Um! I understand you. GR.-RE. What a cunning jade! ERAS. It is true; I have delayed too long to make good my promise to you, but... MAR. What I said, sir, was not because I wished you to make haste. GR.-RE. Oh, no! ERAS. (_Giving her his ring_). Perhaps this ring may please you; accept it instead of the one I owe. MAR. You are only jesting, sir; I should be ashamed to take it. GR.-RE. Poor shame-faced creature! Take it without more ado; only fools refuse what is offered them. MAR. I will only accept it so that I may have something to remember you by. ERAS. When may I return thanks to that lovely angel? MAR. Endeavour to gain over her father. ERAS. But if he rejects me, should I...? MAR. We will think about that when he does so! We will do our utmost for you: one way or another she must be yours; do your best, and we will do ours. ERAS. Farewell! we shall know our fate to-day. (_Éraste reads the letter again to himself_). MAR. (_To Gros-René_). Well, what shall we say of our love? You do not speak to me of it. GR.-RE. If such people as we wish to be married, the thing is soon done. I will have you. Will you have me? MAR. Gladly. GR.-RE. Shake hands, that is enough. MAR. Farewell, Gros-René, my heart's delight. GR.-RE. Farewell, my star. MAR. Farewell, fair fire-brand of my flame. GR.-RE. Farewell, dear comet, rainbow of my soul. (_Exit Marinette_). Heaven be praised, our affairs go on swimmingly. Albert is not a man to refuse you anything. ERAS. Valère is coming here. GR.-RE. I pity the poor wretch, knowing what I do know. SCENE III.--ÉRASTE, VALÈRE, GROS-RENÉ. ERAS. Well, Valère? VAL. Well, Éraste? ERAS. How does your love prosper? VAL. And how does yours? ERAS. It grows stronger and stronger every day. VAL. So does mine. ERAS. For Lucile? VAL. For her. ERAS. Certainly, I must own, you are a pattern of uncommon constancy. VAL. And your perseverance will be a rare example to posterity. ERAS. As for me, I am not very fond of that austere kind of love which is satisfied with looks only; nor do I possess feelings lofty enough to endure ill-treatment with constancy. In one word, when I really love, I wish to be beloved again. VAL. It is very natural, and I am of the same opinion. I would never do homage to the most perfect object by whom I could be smitten, if she did not return my passion. ERAS. However, Lucile... VAL. Lucile does willingly everything my passion can desire. ERAS. You are easily satisfied then. VAL. Not so easily as you may think.