Girard
Go on foot, from fear that your carriage will break down. This is
going to reform the pomp of your train. (giving the list to Lisette)
This is the true list.
Widow Yes, the reversal is very afflicting. But you've shone already for your money. A hundred thousand francs for you in the air.
Baron
One hundred thousand francs to laugh at.
Lisette
What are they talking about? What?
Lucas (looking for the place where the prize was shown in his other
list)
Eh! Go on, go on, let them talk. Here, here. It's here. For Lucas, the
Grand Prize.
Baron
You will not buy my chateau, master fool.
Lucas (troubled)
It was there.
Girard
The zeroes are left.
Lisette
Oh! Father, they are mocking you.
Argon
Yes, here's the mystery.
Widow
You have nothing.
Girard
But nothing—gets nothing. I made the false list, and I found wealth.
I've gotten all of Lucas' rents. My love for you makes heroic
sacrifices. I give them all to you, Lisette.
Argon
Let's go to supper at my place.
Baron
Yes, let's go.
Girard Yes, I have pity for the trouble in which I see you. These gentlemen, without their ranks. My offer ought to please you. They have made their fortune, and I have my fortune to make. But, I am, in a day, by myself, more amorous than the two of them can be in a month. They have not been able to acquire a young girl. But nobility acquires more than riches.
Lisette (to widow) How much I owe you, Madame! It's you who turned my spirit upside down, in telling me that one must be a coquette.
Widow
I am well punished for my bad advice. I agree, I was wrong.
Lisette (to Girard) I listened to her. You must have a Baron, she always said. No, I would never have thought of anyone but you, except for her. If I had followed my natural inclination, from tenderness I would have chosen you.
Girard
Eh! Choose me then! Lucas will consent.
Lucas (in going)
Ouf!
Girard
Speak
Lucas
Ouf!
Girard
Two times ouf, in mute language, is worth one yes.
Widow That's the fate of a coquette. After high prospects, one sees her, sooner or later, confused, confounded, and reduced to a Girard.
CURTAIN
End of Project Gutenberg's The Village Coquette, by Riviere Dufresny