Act III
Scene I Éraste, Sbrigani
Sbri. Yes; everything is succeeding splendidly; and as his knowledge of things is very shallow, and his understanding of the poorest, I put him in such a terrible fright at the severity of the law in this country, and at the preparations which were already set on foot to put him to death,16 that he is determined to run away, and in order the better to escape from the people who, I have told him, are placed at the city gates to stop him, he has decided upon disguising himself as a woman.
Era. How I should like to see him dressed up in that way!
Sbri. Take care you carry out the farce properly; and whilst I go through my parts with him, you go and … (Whispers to him.) You understand, don’t you?
Era. Yes.
Sbri. And when I have taken him where I mean…. (Whispers.)
Era. All right.
Sbri. And when the father has been forewarned by me…. (Whispers.)
Era. Nothing could be better.
Sbri. Here is our young lady. Go quickly; she must not see us together.