o you mean?

BERGAMIN. I mean--

PASQUINOT. Why, with one word, we could-- [Aside] I can't tell
her! [He walks up-stage two or three steps.]

SYLVETTE. Well, if you have nothing to say, why not keep still?

PASQUINOT. [Angrily] Keep still? Nothing to say? Do you
imagine that everything just happened? How do you think people
could come into my park through the iron gates?

BERGAMIN. Do you imagine for one instant that young ladies are
carried off like that nowadays?

SYLVETTE. Do I--? What are you saying?

BERGAMIN. That will do! It is high time you knew the truth. I
tell you, the victory was on the side of the old men!

SYLVETTE. But--

PASQUINOT. In old plays the father was always the dupe. Nowadays,
we do the duping! Would either of you have loved the other if you
had been told to do so? No.

SYLVETTE. Then perhaps you suspected--?

PASQUINOT. Of course we did.

SYLVETTE. Our meetings?

BERGAMIN. I heard you every time!

SYLVETTE. But the benches?

PASQUINOT. We put them there on purpose.

SYLVETTE. The duel?

BERGAMIN. A trick--prepared beforehand.

SYLVETTE. The bravadoes?

PASQUINOT. Actors!

SYLVETTE. Then my abduction--? It was all a joke!

BERGAMIN. [Searching in his pocket] Joke? Here's the bill!

SYLVETTE. [Snatching the bill from him] Give it to me! [She
reads] "Straforel, Confidential affairs: One abduction, setting
and scenery--for purposes of bringing about a marriage--" Oh!
"Eight assistants at five francs a head; eight masks--"

BERGAMIN. [To PASQUINOT] I think we told her too soon!

SYLVETTE. [Continuing] "One sedan-chair, with porters; latest
style, with red trimmings--" [Laughing, she throws the bill on the
table.]

PASQUINOT. Then she isn't angry?

SYLVETTE. [Graciously] A charming idea! But, truly, Monsieur
Bergamin, do you think I love Percinet merely because of your trick?

PASQUINOT. She takes it very well.

BERGAMIN. [To SYLVETTE] You're not offended?

PASQUINOT. Are you going to tell Percinet?

SYLVETTE. Oh, no. Men are so stupid!

BERGAMIN. Very sensible. But I had an idea-- [Taking out his
watch] Now we must see about the contract. [Offering his hand
to SYLVETTE] We are still good friends?

SYLVETTE. Of course!

BERGAMIN. [Turning about once more before he goes out] You don't
blame me, do you?

SYLVETTE. [Sweetly] Not in the least! [BERGAMIN and PASQUINOT
go out. As they leav