Scene XX The Countess, Julia, the Viscount, Mr Thibaudier, the Count, Mr. Bobinet, Criquet
Cri. The actors send me to tell you that they are ready.
Coun. Let us take our seats. (Showing JULIA.) Mr. Thibaudier, take this lady under your care.
CRIQUET places all the chairs on one side of the stage. The COUNTESS, JULIA, and the VISCOUNT sit down, and MR. THIBAUDIER sits down at the COUNTESS’S feet.
Visc. It is important for you to observe that this comedy was made only to unite the different pieces of music and dancing which compose the entertainment, and that …
Coun. Ah! never mind, let us see it; we have enough good sense to understand things.
Visc. Begin then at once, and see that no troublesome intruder comes to disturb our pleasure.
(The violins begin an overture.)