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BAR

. I am bursting with rage.

DOC

. Cut out this word “bursting.” It is a low, vulgar expression.

BAR

. But, doctor, listen to me for mercy’s sake.

DOC

. Audi, quaeso, would Caesar have said.[7]

BAR

. Seize her, or don’t seize her, you will listen to me or I will break your doctoral neck! What the devil do you mean by all this?

(LE BARBOUILLE, ANGELIQUE, GORGIBUS, CATHAU, VILLEBREQUIN, wish to explain the cause of the quarrel; the DOCTOR explains that peace is a fine thing. They all talk together, and make a dreadful noise. In the midst of all this, LE BARBOUILLE ties the DOCTOR by the legs with a rope, throws him down on his back, and drags him away; the DOCTOR goes on talking all the time, and counts all his arguments on his fingers, as if he were not on the ground.)

GOR

. Now, my daughter, go back to your home and live in peace with your husband.

VILL

. Your servant; good night.

(Exeunt VILLEBREQUIN, GORGIBUS, and ANGELIQUE.)

SCENE VII

.–VALERE, LA VALLEE.

VAL

. I am extremely obliged to you, sir, for the trouble you have taken, and I promise you that in about an hour’s time I shall be at the place of rendezvous you give me.

LA

VAL

. It cannot be put off so long, in a quarter of an hour the ball will be over, and you will miss the pleasure of meeting there the person you love.

VAL

. Let us go together then.

(Exeunt VALERE and LA VALLEE.)

SCENE VIII

.–ANGELIQUE (alone).

While my husband is absent, I will just go round to a ball given by one of our neighbours. I shall be back before him, for he is somewhere drinking; he will not even know that I am gone out. The wretched knave always leaves me alone at home, as if I were his dog. (Exit ANGELIQUE.)

SCENE IX

.–LE BARBOUILLE.

I knew that I should master that brute of a doctor and his stupid doctrine. Devil take the ignorant ass! I soon brought all his science to the ground. I must now go and see if our good wife has prepared anything for my supper. (Exit.)

SCENE X

.–ANGELIQUE.

How unlucky! I went too late, the party was over. I arrived just as everybody was leaving. But never mind, it shall be for another time. I will go home as if nothing was the matter. Bless me! the door is locked; Cathau! Cathau!

SCENE XI

.–LE BARBOUILLE (at the window), ANGELIQUE.

BAR

. “Cathau! Cathau!” Well! what is the matter with Cathau? And where do you come from at this time of night, and in such weather?

ANG

. Where I come from? Just open the door, and I will tell you.

BAR

. Yes, you catch me! You may go and sleep where you come from; I shall not open to a gad-about like you. What! alone at this time of night! I don’t know if it is fancy, but my forehead seems to me already rougher by half.

ANG

. Well, what do you mean by scolding me because I am alone? You scold me if I have anybody near me; what am I to do?

BAR

. Stop at home, give orders for the supper, take care of the household, and of the children; but it is no use talking so much; good-bye, good night, go to the devil and leave me in peace.

ANG

. You won’t open to me?