ISA. Let him think, then, how to prove his passion for me. SGAN. Yes, here, kiss my hand. ISA. Let him, without more sighing, hasten a marriage which is all I desire, and accept the assurance which I give him, never to listen to the vows of another. (_She pretends to embrace Sganarelle, and gives her hand to Valère to kiss_). [Footnote: This stage play is imitated by Congreve in _The Old Bachelor_, (Act iv., Scene 22) when Mrs. Fondlewife goes and hangs upon her husband's neck and kisses him; whilst Bellmour kisses her hand behind Fondlewife's back.] SGAN. Oh, oh, my little pretty face, my poor little darling, you shall not pine long, I promise you. (_To Valère_). There, say no more. You see I do not make her speak; it is me alone she loves. VAL. Well, Madam, well, this is sufficient explanation. I learn by your words what you urge me to do; I shall soon know how to rid your presence of him who so greatly offends you. ISA. You could not give me greater pleasure. For, to be brief, the sight of him is intolerable. It is odious to me, and I detest it so much... SGAN. Eh! Eh! ISA. Do I offend you by speaking thus? Do I... SGAN. Heavens, by no means! I do not say that. But in truth, I pity his condition; you show your aversion too openly. ISA. I cannot show it too much on such an occasion. VAL. Yes, you shall be satisfied; in three days your eyes shall no longer see the object which is odious to you. ISA. That is right. Farewell. SGAN. (_To Valère_): I pity your misfortune, but... VAL. No, you will hear no complaint from me. The lady assuredly does us both justice, and I shall endeavour to satisfy her wishes. Farewell. SGAN. Poor fellow! his grief is excessive. Stay, embrace me: I am her second self. (_Embraces Valère_) SCENE XV--ISABELLA, SGANARELLE. SGAN. I think he is greatly to be pitied. ISA. Not at all. SGAN. For the rest, your love touches me to the quick, little darling, and I mean it shall have its reward. Eight days are too long for your impatience; to-morrow I will marry you, and will not invite... ISA. To-morrow! SGAN. You modestly pretend to shrink from it; but I well know the joy these words afford you; you wish it were already over. ISA. But... SGAN. Let us get everything ready for this marriage. ISA. (_Aside_), Heaven! Inspire me with a plan to put it off! ACT III. SCENE I.--ISABELLA, _alone_. Yes, death seems to me a hundred times less dreadful than this fatal marriage into which I am forced; all that I am doing to escape its horrors should excuse me in the eyes of those who blame me. Time presses; it is night; now, then, let me fearlessly entrust my fate to a lover's fidelity. SCENE II.--SGANARELLE, ISABELLA. SGAN. (_Speaking to those inside the house_). Here I am once more; to-morrow they are going, in my name... ISA. O Heaven!