Lisette Ah, here they both are. All is lost. What to do? Argon (to the Baron) What did Girard warn me? But, it's your custom. I've often seen you boast of love. You believe yourself loved by Lisette, then, sir? Baron The proof of this is that I am making her my wife. Argon Girard made no mistake. You intend to overwhelm her with your wealth. But she cannot betray her love for me. Baron She hasn't any love for you. I swear it. Argon It's you who flatter yourself to a fault, I assure you. Baron I tell you, she has never loved anyone but me. Argon I am sure of her heart and her good faith. Decide between us to finish the dispute. Baron I disdain it. Repeat for the one hundredth time that you love me tenderly. Lisette Me, tell you that? Truly, I take little care, sir. It is from respect that I let you speak. I believed, at first, that you were boasting, to laugh. But, without offending you, sir, I will tell you, I have no love for you, nor will I ever have. Baron What? Why? Widow What does she say? Ah, how great is my shock! Baron What do you say? Argon Must she tell you again? Baron What? Haven't you said a hundred times that you love me? Lisette Me? No. Argon (charmed) What naivete. Widow (angry that Lisette has not fallen into the trap) What do I hear? Baron What? Your tears, your sighs? Lisette Were lies. Argon I know my neighbor. Without a doubt, it is a dream that he has seen you in tears and heaving sighs. At his age, while sleeping, these are pleasant notions. Baron But, I haven't dreamed what you have written. Lisette It's my father, and Madame is there to tell you so. Widow I am enraged. Argon I know Lucas is ambitious. He prefers your wealth; for you're worth more to him. But, besides, I believe her--what likelihood is there that Lisette, who always says what she thinks, has spoken to you of love, when she loves me? Lisette What are you saying, sir? I have believed, in good faith, that you spoke in jest that you love me; but this joke is not true. Argon Eh--what? Widow (aside, delighted) What is her plan? Does she dream, or is it I who dream? Argon It's in vain that you still think the secret is necessary. (to Baron) We made a secret of our love. (to Lisette) Speak, I permit you to speak freely. Lisette If you permit me to speak freely, I don't love you. Widow She's frank enough about that. Argon How indignant I am! Baron By God, I've my revenge. Argon But, I understand nothing. Speak clearly, I wish it. Tell them that you intended to manage us both. Lisette I had no intention of managing either of you, I assure you, and you can see it quite well. Widow That's speaking plainly. Lisette For, hold on, I prefer my liberty, a hundred times, to all your grand honors and quality. To be the wife of a great lord, I would be a servant. As for your kindnesses, of which I am cognizant, pardon me if I refuse them. In a word, both of you wish to marry me, but I will never marry either one of you.