spoke of all its faults, and I thought he would never have done. If one is to believe him,
he knows the secrets of the cabinet better than those who compose it. The policy of the
state is an open book to him, and no step is taken without his seeing through it. He shows
you the secret machinations of all that takes place, whither the wisdom of our neighbours
tends, and controls at his will and pleasure all the affairs of Europe. His knowledge of
what goes on extends as far as Africa and Asia, and he is informed of all that; is
discussed in the privy council of Prester John [Footnote: The name given in the middle
ages to a supposed Christian sovereign and priest (presbyter) in the interior of Asia.] and
the Great Mogul.
JU. You make the best excuse you can, and so arrange it that it may pass off well and be
easily received.
VISC. I assure you, dear Julia, that this is the real reason of my being late. But if I
wanted to say anything gallant, I could tell yon that the rendezvous to which you bring
me here might well excuse the sluggishness of which you complain. To compel me to pay
my addresses to the lady of this house is certainly reason enough for me to fear being
here the first. I ought not to have to bear the misery of it, except when she whom it
amuses is present. I avoid finding myself alone with that ridiculous countess with whom
you shackle me. In short, as I come only for your sake, I have every reason to stay away
until you are here.
JU. Oh! you will never lack the power of giving a bright colour to your faults. However,
if you had come half an hour sooner, we should have enjoyed those few moments. For
when I came, I found that the countess was out, and I have no doubt that she is gone all
over the town to claim for herself the honour of the comedy you gave me under her name.
VISC. But, pray, when will you put an end to this, and make me buy less dearly the
happiness of seeing you?
JU. When our parents agree, which I scarcely dare hope for. You know as well as I do
that the dissensions which exist between our two families deprive us of the possibility of
seeing each other anywhere else, and that neither my brothers nor my father are likely to
approve of our engagement.
VISC. Yes; but why not profit better by the opportunity which their enmity gives us, and
why oblige me to waste, under a ridiculous deception, the moments I pass near you?
JU. It is the better to hide our love; and, besides, to tell you the truth, this deception you
speak of is to me a very amusing comedy, and I hardly think that the one you give me to-
day will amuse me as much. Our Countess of Escarbagnas, with her perpetual infatuation
for "quality," is as good a personage as can be put on the stage. The short journey she has
made to Paris has brought her back to Angoulême more crazy than ever. The air of the
court has given a new charm to her extravagance, and her folly grows and increases every
day.
