SGAN. The riddle is that her ball is at Valère's; that I saw her go to him under cover of night, and that she is at this moment in his arms. AR. Who? SGAN. Léonor. AR. A truce to jokes, I beg of you. SGAN. I joke... He is excellent with his joking! Poor fellow! I tell you, and tell you again, that Valère has your Léonor in his house, and that they had pledged each other before he dreamed of running after Isabella. AR. This story is so very improbable... SGAN. He will not believe it, even when he sees it. I am getting angry; upon my word, old age is not good for much when brains are wanting! (_Laying his finger on his forehead_). AR. What! brother, you mean to... SGAN. I mean nothing, upon my soul! Only follow me. Your mind shall be satisfied directly. You shall see whether I am deceiving you, and whether they have not pledged their troth for more than a year past. AR. Is it likely she could thus have agreed to this engagement without telling me?--me! who in everything, from her infancy, ever displayed towards her a complete readiness to please, and who a hundred times protested I would never force her inclinations. SGAN. Well, your own eyes shall judge of the matter. I have already brought here a magistrate and a notary. We are concerned that the promised marriage shall at once restore to her the honour she has lost; for I do not suppose you are so mean-spirited as to wish to marry her with this stain upon her, unless you have still some arguments to raise you above all kinds of ridicule. AR. For my part, I shall never be so weak as wish to possess a heart in spite of itself. But, after all, I cannot believe... SGAN. What speeches you make! Come, this might go on for ever. SCENE VII.--SGANARELLE, ARISTE, A MAGISTRATE, A NOTARY. MAG. There is no need to use any compulsion here, gentlemen. If you wish to have them married, your anger may be appeased on the spot. Both are equally inclined to it; Valère has already given under his hand a statement that he considers her who is now with him as his wife. AR. The girl... MAG. Is within, and will not come out, unless you consent to gratify their desires. SCENE VIII.--VALÈRE, A MAGISTRATE, A NOTARY, SGANARELLE, ARISTE. VAL. (_At the window of his house_). No, gentlemen; no man shall enter here until your pleasure be known to me. You know who I am; I have done my duty in signing the statement, which they can show you. If you intend to approve of the marriage, you must also put your names to this agreement; if not, prepare to take my life before you shall rob me of the object of my love. SGAN. No, we have no notion of separating you from her. (_Aside_). He has not yet been undeceived in the matter of Isabella. Let us make the most of his mistake. AR. (_To Valère_). But is it Léonor? SGAN. Hold your tongue! AR. But... SGAN. Be quiet! AR. I want to know... SGAN. Again! Will you hold your tongue, I say?