Oh, I can assure you I do not want to take from you a shameless girl, so blinded by her passion. I am not jealous of your promise to her; if I am to be believed, you shall be her husband. Yes, let us surprise him with this bold creature. The memory of her father, who was justly respected, and the great interest I take in her sister, demand that an attempt, at least, should be made to restore her honour. Hulloa, there! (_Knocks at the door of a magistrate_). [Footnote: See page 261, note 5.] SCENE V.--SGANARELLE, A MAGISTRATE, A NOTARY, ATTENDANT _with a lantern_. MAG. What is it? SGAN. Your servant, your worship. Your presence in official garb is necessary here. Follow me, please, with your lantern-bearer. MAG. We were going... SGAN. This is a very pressing business. MAG. What is it? SGAN. To go into that house and surprise two persons who must be joined in lawful matrimony. It is a girl with whom I am connected, and whom, under promise of marriage, a certain Valère has seduced and got into his house. She comes of a noble and virtuous family, but... MAG. If that is the business, it was well you met us, since we have a notary here. SGAN. Sir? NOT. Yes, a notary royal. MAG. And what is more, an honourable man. SGAN. No need to add that. Come to this doorway; make no noise, but see that no one escapes. You shall be fully satisfied for your trouble, but be sure and do not let yourself be bribed. MAG. What! do you think that an officer of justice... SGAN. What I said was not meant as a reflection on your position. I will bring my brother here at once; only let the lantern-bearer accompany me. (_Aside_). I am going to give this placable man a treat. Hulloa! (_Knocks at Ariste's door_). * * * * * SCENE VI.--ARISTE, SGANARELLE. AR. Who knocks? Why, what do you want, brother? SGAN. Come, my fine teacher, my superannuated buck; I shall have something pretty to show you. AR. How? SGAN. I bring you good news. AR. What is it? SGAN. Where is your Léonor, pray? AR. Why this question? She is, as I think, at a friend's house at a ball. SGAN. Eh! Oh yes! Follow me; you shall see to what ball Missy is gone. AR. What do you mean? SGAN. You have brought her up very well indeed. It is not good to be always finding fault; the mind is captivated by much tenderness; and suspicious precautions, bolts, and bars, make neither wives nor maids virtuous; we cause them to do evil by so much austerity; their sex demands a little freedom. Of a verity she has taken her fill of it, the artful girl; and with her, virtue has grown very complaisant. AR. What is the drift of such a speech? SGAN. Bravo, my elder brother! it is what you richly deserve; I would not for twenty pistoles that you should have missed this fruit of your silly maxims. Look what our lessons have produced in these two sisters: the one avoids the gallants, the other runs after them. AR. If you will not make your riddle clearer...