(Cléonte, Lucile, Covielle, Nicole)
NICOLE
For my part, I was completely shocked at it.
LUCILE
It can only be, Nicole, what I told you. But there he is.
CLÉONTE
I don't even want to speak to her.
LUCILE
What's the matter Cléonte? What's wrong with you?
NICOLE
What's the matter with you, Covielle?
LUCILE
What grief possesses you?
NICOLE
What bad humor holds you?
NICOLE
Have you lost your voice, Covielle?
CLÉONTE
Is this not villainous!
LUCILE
I clearly see that our recent meeting has troubled you.
CLÉONTE
Ah! Ah! She sees what she's done.
NICOLE
Our greeting this morning has annoyed you.
COVIELLE
She has guessed the problem.
LUCILE
Isn't it true, Cléonte, that this is the cause of your resentment?
CLÉONTE
Yes, perfidious one, it is, since I must speak; and I must tell that you shall not triumph in your faithlessness as you think, I want to be the first to break with you, and you won't have the advantage of driving me away. I will have difficulty in conquering the love I have for you; it will cause me pain; I will suffer for a while. But I'll come through it, and I would rather stab myself through the heart than have the weakness to return to you.
LUCILE
What an uproar over nothing. I want to tell you, Cléonte, what made me avoid joining you this morning.
CLÉONTE
No, I don't want to listen to anything . . .
NICOLE
I want to tell you what made us pass so quickly.
COVIELLE
I don't want to hear anything.
LUCILE
(Following Cléonte) Know that this morning . . .
NICOLE
(Following Covielle) Learn that . . .
LUCILE
Alright! Since you don't want to listen to me, think what you like, and do what you want.
NICOLE
Since you act like that, make whatever you like of it all.
CLÉONTE
Let us know the reason, then, for such a fine reception.
LUCILE
It no longer pleases me to say.
COVIELLE
Let us know something of your story.
NICOLE
I ,myself, no longer want to tell you.
LUCILE
No, I don't want to say anything.
CLÉONTE
In the name of God! . . .
CLÉONTE
Alright! since you are so little concerned to take me out of my pain and to justify yourself for the shameful treatment you gave to my passion, you are seeing me, ingrate, for the last time, and I am going far from you to die of sorrow and love.
COVIELLE
And I — I will follow in his steps.
LUCILE
You are going to die, Cléonte?
CLÉONTE
Yes, cruel one, since you wish it.
CLÉONTE
Is it not wishing it when you don't wish to clear up my suspicions?
LUCILE
Is it my fault? And, if you had wished to listen to me, would I not have told you that the incident you complain of was caused this morning by the presence of an old aunt who insists that the mere approach of a man dishonors a woman — an aunt who constantly delivers sermons to us on this text, and tells us that all men are like devils we must flee?
NICOLE
There's the key to the entire affair.
CLÉONTE
Are you sure you're not deceiving me, Lucile?
COVIELLE
Aren't you making this up?
LUCILE
There's nothing more true.
NICOLE
It's the absolute truth.
COVIELLE
Are we going to give in to this?
CLÉONTE
Ah! Lucile, how with a word from your lips you are able to appease the things in my heart, and how easily one allows himself to be persuaded by the people one loves!
COVIELLE
How easily we are manipulated by these blasted minxes!
