VAL. She, you say, of her own accord, makes you... SGAN. Yes, makes me come to you and give you this frank and plain message; also, that, having observed the violent love wherewith your soul is smitten, she would earlier have let you know what she thinks about you if, perplexed as she was, she could have found anyone to send this message by; but that at length she was painfully compelled to make use of me, in order to assure you, as I have told you, that her affection is denied to all save me; that you have been ogling her long enough; and that, if you have ever so little brains, you will carry your passion somewhere else. Farewell, till our next meeting. That is what I had to tell you. VAL. (_Aside_). Ergaste, what say you to such an adventure? SGAN. (_Aside, retiring_). See how he is taken aback! ERG. (_In a low tone to Valère_). For my part, I think that there is nothing in it to displease you; that a rather subtle mystery is concealed under it; in short, that this message is not sent by one who desires to see the love end which she inspires in you. SGAN. (_Aside_). He takes it as he ought. VAL. (_In a low tone to Ergaste_). You think it a mystery... ERG. Yes.... But he is looking at us; let us get out of his sight. SCENE IV.--SGANARELLE, _alone_. How his face showed his confusion! Doubtless he did not expect this message. Let me call Isabella; she is showing the fruits which education produces on the mind. Virtue is all she cares for; and her heart is so deeply steeped in it, that she is offended if a man merely looks at her. SCENE V.--ISABELLA, SGANARELLE. ISA. (_Aside, as she enters_). I fear that my lover, full of his passion, has not understood my message rightly! Since I am so strictly guarded, I must risk one which shall make my meaning clearer. SGAN. Here I am, returned again. ISA. Well? SGAN. Your words wrought their full purpose; I have done his business. He wanted to deny that his heart was touched; but when I told him I came from you, he stood immediately dumbfounded and confused; I do not believe he will come here any more. ISA. Ah, what do you tell me? I much fear the contrary, and that he will still give us more trouble. SGAN. And why do you fear this? ISA. You had hardly left the house when, going to the window to take a breath of air, I saw a young man at yonder turning, who first came, most unexpectedly, to wish me good morning, on the part of this impertinent man, and then threw right into my chamber a box, enclosing a letter, sealed like a love-letter. [Footnote: The original has _un poulet_, literally "a chicken," because love-letters were folded so as to represent a fowl, with two wings; this shape is now called _cocotte_, from _coq_, and, though no longer used to designate a billet-doux, is often employed in familiar phraseology, in speaking of a girl who does not lead a moral life.]