do you not agree with me that if we had been the scum of the earth, we could not have been treated worse?
DU CROISY. You seem to take it to heart.
LA GRANGE. No doubt I do, so much so that I am resolved to be revenged on them for their impertinence. I know well enough why they slight us. Affectation has not alone infected Paris, but has also spread into the country, and our ridiculous damsels have sucked in their share of it. In a word, they are a strange medley of preciosity and coquetry. I plainly see what kind of persons will be well received by them. If you will take my advice, we will play them such a trick as shall show them their folly, and teach them to recognize a little better the people they have to deal with.
DU CROISY. And how can you do this?
LA GRANGE. I have a certain valet, named Mascarille, who, in the opinion of many people, passes for a kind of wit--for nothing now-a-days is cheaper than wit. He is an extraordinary fellow, who has taken it into his head to ape the man of quality. He usually prides himself on his gallantry and his poetry, and despises so much the other valets that he calls them brutes.
DU CROISY. Well, what do you mean to do with him?
LA GRANGE. What do I mean to do with him? He must . . . but first, let's get out of here.
[They go toward the street door.]
GORGIBUS [entering as from his den]. Well, you have seen my niece and my daughter. How are things going? What's the result of your visit?
LA GRANGE. They will tell you this better than we. All we can say is: We thank you for the favor you've done us, and remain your most humble servants.
DU CROISY. Your most humble servants.
[They leave.]
GORGIBUS [alone]. Hoity-toity! It seems to me they go away dissatisfied. What has upset them? I must find out. [Calling] Hi, there!
MAROTTE [entering as from upstairs]. What is it, monsieur?
GORGIBUS. Where are your mistresses?
MAROTTE. In their room.
GORGIBUS. What are they doing?
MAROTTE. Making lip salve.
-324-
Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information:
Book title: Preface to Drama:An Introduction to Dramatic Literature and Theater Art.
Contributors: Charles W. Cooper - Author.
Publisher: Ronald Press.
Place of publication: New York.
Publication year: 1955.
Page number: 324.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
One moment ...
- Georgia
- Arial
- Times New Roman
- Verdana
- Courier/monospaced
Reset