The Love-Tiff | Page 9

before heard of such a jealous scruple, but though quite

unexpected, this affection obliges me to make some return for it; I here
promise you all you require of me.
ASC. But sincerely?
VAL. Yes, sincerely.
ASC. If this be true, I promise you that henceforth your interests shall
be mine.
VAL. I have a secret of the utmost consequence to reveal to you by and
by, and then I shall remind you of your words.
ASC. And I have likewise a secret to discover to you, wherein your
affection for me may show itself.
VAL. Indeed! what can that be?
ASC. I have a love affair which I dare not reveal, and you have
influence enough over the object of my passion to promote my
happiness.
VAL. Explain yourself, Ascanio, and be assured beforehand that, if
your happiness lies in my power, it is certain.
ASC. You promise more than you imagine.
VAL. No, no; tell me the name of the person whom I have to influence.
ASC. It is not yet time, but it is a person who is nearly related to you.
VAL. Your words amaze me; would to Heaven my sister...
ASC. This is not the proper time to explain myself, I tell you.
VAL. Why so?
ASC. For a certain reason. You shall know my secret when I know
yours.
VAL. I must have another person's permission before I can discover it
to you.
ASC. Obtain it then; and when we shall have explained ourselves we
shall see which of us two will best keep his word.
VAL. Farewell, I accept your offer.
ASC. And I will be bound by it, Valère. (_Exit Valère_.)
FROS. He thinks you will help him as a brother.

SCENE III.--LUCILE, ASCANIO, MARINETTE, FROSINE.
LUC. (_Saying the first words to Marinette_). I have done it; it is thus I
can revenge myself; if this step torments him, it will be a great
consolation to me... Brother, you perceive a change in me; I am
resolved to love Valère, after so much ill-usage; he shall become the

object of my affection.
ASC. What do you say, sister? How do you change so suddenly? This
inconstancy seems to me very strange.
LUC. Your change of disposition has more cause to surprise me. You
formerly used always to plead in favour of Valère; for his sake you
have accused me of caprice, blind cruelty, pride and injustice; and now,
when I wish to love him, my intention displeases you, and I find you
speaking against his interest.
ASC. I abandon his interest, sister, out of regard to yours. I know he is
under the sway of another fair one; it will be a discredit to your charms
if you call him back, and he does not come.
LUC. If that is all, I shall take care not to suffer a defeat; I know what I
am to believe of his passion; he has shown it very clearly, at least so I
think; you may safely discover my sentiments to him: or if you refuse
to do it, I, myself shall let him know that his passion has touched me.
What! you stand thunderstruck, brother, at those words!
ASC. Oh, sister, if I have any influence over you, if you will listen to a
brother's entreaties, abandon such a design; do not take away Valère
from the love of a young creature, in whom I feel great interest, and for
whom, upon my word, you ought to feel some sympathy. The poor
unfortunate woman loves him to distraction; to me alone she has
disclosed her passion; I perceive in her heart such a tender affection,
that it might soften even the most relentless being. Yes, you yourself
will pity her condition when she shall become aware with what stroke
you threaten to crush her love; so sure am I of the excess of her grief,
that I am certain, sister, she will die, if you rob her of the man she
adores. Éraste is a match that ought to satisfy you, and the mutual
affection you have for one another...
LUC. Brother, it is sufficient! I do not know in whom you take such an
interest; but let us not continue this conversation, I beg of you; leave
me a little to my own thoughts.
ASC. Cruel sister, you will drive me to despair if you carry your design
into execution.

SCENE IV.--LUCILE, MARINETTE.
MAR. Your resolution, madam, is very sudden.
LUC. A heart considers nothing when it is once affronted, but flies to

its revenge, and eagerly lays hold of whatever it thinks can minister to
its resentment. The wretch! To treat me with such extreme insolence!
MAR. You see I have not yet recovered the effects; though I were to
brood over it