Scene XXII The Countess, the Viscount, Julia, Mr. Thibaudier, Jeannot
Jean. (to the VISCOUNT). Sir, here is a note which I have been asked to give to you immediately.
Visc. (reads). “As you may have some measures to take, I send you notice at once that the quarrel between your family and that of Julia’s has just been settled, and that the condition of this agreement is your marriage with Julia. Good night!” (To JULIA) Truly, Madam, our part is also played.
The VISCOUNT, the COUNTESS, and MR. THIBAUDIER, all rise.
Ju. Ah! Cléante, what happiness is this! Our love could scarcely hope for such a happy end.
Coun. What is it you mean?
Visc. It means, Madam, that I marry Julia; and if you will believe me, in order to make the play complete at all points, you will marry Mr. Thibaudier, and give Andrée to his footman, whom he will make his valet-de-chambre.
Coun. What! you deceive thus a person of my rank!
Visc. No offence to you, Madam, but plays require such things.
Coun. Yes, Mr. Thibaudier, I will marry you to vex everybody.
Thi. You do me too much honour, Madam.
Visc. Allow us, Madam, in spite of our vexation, to see the end of the play.
The End
Footnotes
[1] After the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1668, this newspaper never ceased to attack Louis XIV. and the French nation. In 1672 Louis XIV attempted the conquest of Holland
[2] The name given in the middle ages to a supposed Christian sovereign and priest (presbyter) in the interior of Asia.
[3] Instead of naming the hotels (= mansions) of the great noblemen, Julia names the hotels (= inns) of the time. She thus shows where the countess had studied the aristocracy.
[4] They were pears ‘de bon chrétien.’ ‘Choke-pears’ renders rather weakly the poires d’angoisse of Mr. Thibaudier.
[5] Compare ‘Tartuffe,’ act ii. scene iii.
[6] The Martial who did not write verses, sold perfumery, and was valet-de-chambre to the king’s brother. Martial, the Roman epigrammatist, lived in the first century after Christ.