Tartuffe Or the Hypocrite Part 8

MARIANE Yes.

VALERE This is insult heaped on injury; I'll go at once and do as you desire.

(He takes a step or two as if to go away.)

MARIANE Oh, very well then.

VALERE (turning back) But remember this.

'Twas you that drove me to this desperate pa.s.s.

MARIANE Of course.

VALERE (turning back again) And in the plan that I have formed I only follow your example.

MARIANE Yes.

VALERE (at the door) Enough; you shall be punctually obeyed.

MARIANE So much the better.

VALERE (coming back again) This is once for all.

MARIANE So be it, then.

VALERE (He goes toward the door, but just as he reaches it, turns around) Eh?

MARIANE What?

VALERE You didn't call me?

MARIANE I? You are dreaming.

VALERE Very well, I'm gone. Madam, farewell.

(He walks slowly away.)

MARIANE Farewell, sir.

DORINE I must say You've lost your senses and both gone clean daft!

I've let you fight it out to the end o' the chapter To see how far the thing could go. Oho, there, Mister Valere!

(She goes and seizes him by the arm, to stop him. He makes a great show of resistance.)

VALERE What do you want, Dorine?

DORINE Come here.

VALERE No, no, I'm quite beside myself.

Don't hinder me from doing as she wishes.

DORINE Stop!

VALERE No. You see, I'm fixed, resolved, determined.

DORINE So!

MARIANE (aside) Since my presence pains him, makes him go, I'd better go myself, and leave him free.

DORINE (leaving Valere, and running after Mariane) Now t'other! Where are you going?

MARIANE Let me be.

DORINE.

Come back.

MARIANE No, no, it isn't any use.

VALERE (aside) 'Tis clear the sight of me is torture to her; No doubt, t'were better I should free her from it.

DORINE (leaving Mariane and running after Valere) Same thing again! Deuce take you both, I say.

Now stop your fooling; come here, you; and you.

(She pulls first one, then the other, toward the middle of the stage.)

VALERE (to Dorine) What's your idea?

MARIANE (to Dorine) What can you mean to do?

DORINE Set you to rights, and pull you out o' the sc.r.a.pe.

(To Valere) Are you quite mad, to quarrel with her now?

VALERE Didn't you hear the things she said to me?

DORINE (to Mariane) Are you quite mad, to get in such a pa.s.sion?

MARIANE Didn't you see the way he treated me?

DORINE Fools, both of you.

(To Valere) She thinks of nothing else But to keep faith with you, I vouch for it.

(To Mariane) And he loves none but you, and longs for nothing But just to marry you, I stake my life on't.

MARIANE (to Valere) Why did you give me such advice then, pray?

VALERE (to Mariane) Why ask for my advice on such a matter?

DORINE You both are daft, I tell you. Here, your hands.