CLEONTE: Is it not wishing it when you don't wish to clear up my suspicions? LUCILE: Is it my fault? And, if you had wished to listen to me, would I not have told you that the incident you complain of was caused this morning by the presence of an old aunt who insists that the mere approach of a man dishonors a woman--an aunt who constantly delivers sermons to us on this text, and tells us that all men are like devils we must flee? NICOLE: There's the key to the entire affair. CLEONTE: Are you sure you're not deceiving me, Lucile? COVIELLE: Aren't you making this up? LUCILE: There's nothing more true. NICOLE: It's the absolute truth. COVIELLE: Are we going to give in to this? CLEONTE: Ah! Lucile, how with a word from your lips you are able to appease the things in my heart, and how easily one allows himself to be persuaded by the people one loves! COVIELLE: How easily we are manipulated by these blasted minxes! ACT THREE SCENE XI (Madame Jourdain, Cleonte, Lucile, Covielle, Nicole) MADAME JOURDAIN: I am very glad to see you, Cleonte and you are here at just the right time. My husband is coming, seize the opportunity to ask for Lucile in marriage. CLEONTE: Ah! Madame, how sweet that word is to me, and how it flatters my desires! Could I receive an order more charming, a favor more precious? ACT THREE SCENE XII (Monsieur Jourdain, Madame Jourdain, Cleonte, Lucile, Covielle, Nicole) CLEONTE: Sir, I did not want to use anyone to make a request of you that I have long considered. It affects me enough for me to take charge of it myself; and, without further ado, I will say to you that the honor of being your son-in-law is a glorious favor that I beg you to grant me. MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: Before giving you a reply, sir, I beg to ask if you are a gentleman. CLEONTE: Sir, most people don't hesitate much over this question. They use the word carelessly. They take the name without scruple, and the usage of today seems to validate the theft. As for me, I confess to you, I have a little more delicate feelings on this matter. I find all imposture undignified for an honest man, and that there is cowardice in disguising what Heaven made us at birth; to present ourselves to the eyes of the world with a stolen title; to wish to give a false impression. I was born of parents who, without doubt, held honorable positions. I have six years of service in the army, and I find myself established well enough to maintain a tolerable rank in the world; but despite all that I certainly have no wish to give myself a name to which others in my place might believe they could pretend, and I will tell you frankly that I am not a gentleman. MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: Shake hands, Sir! My daughter is not for you. CLEONTE: What? MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: You are not a gentleman. You will not have my daughter. MADAME JOURDAIN: What are you trying to say with your talk of gentleman? Are we ourselves of the line of St. Louis?