e Sainte-Beuve [103] declares for the superiority of
his drama. Certainly, one does not weary of his delightful comedies, never
long enough to tire, even were they less fascinating than they are, for
they never exceed three acts, except in the case of the _Serments
indiscrets_, which is in five. His creative genius is seen, as nowhere
else, in these brief comedies.

After the _haute comedie_ of Moliere, with its presentation of types of
character rather than of individuals, and with its general lessons to
mankind, it would have been impossible for Marivaux to have gained glory
in the same field. His fondness for originality forbade him from following
the traces of his predecessors. He preferred, he said, "etre humblement
assis sur le dernier banc dans la petite troupe des auteurs originaux,
qu'orgueilleusement place a la premiere ligne dans le nombreux betail des
singes litteraires."[104] So, in the midst of the society in which he
moved, a society of idlers, rich, elegant, refined, men in periwigs, in
rich brocades and laces, women too, bewitching with their powdered hair,
their delicate complexions enhanced by rouge and patches coquettishly
arranged, their caught-up skirts and low-cut bodices, Marivaux, with his
keen eyes open to the love intrigues so artfully conducted, with his mind
awake to all the witty sayings rife on everybody's tongue, and with his
kindly, charitable heart, found inspiration for those dainty creations, so
picturesque, so subtle, and so fascinating that they have never ceased to
charm, perhaps less truly creations than sketches of the society about
him, although no other writer has been able to handle his elusive pen in
the portrayal of similar scenes.

In what does the originality of the comedies of Marivaux consist? In
general, one may say, in his treatment of love, their prevailing theme.
"Chez mes confreres," says Marivaux, "l'amour est en querelle avec ce qui
l'environne, et finit par etre heureux, malgre les opposants; chez moi, il
n'est en querelle qu'avec lui seul, et finit par etre heureux malgre lui.
Il apprendra dans mes pieces a se defier encore plus des tours qu'il se
joue, que des pieges qui lui sont tendus par des mains etrangeres." It is
true that throughout his plays the lovers rarely encounter any hindrance
from without. There is very little action or intrigue. The dialogue,
witty, brilliant, and ingenious, is all-important, and the denouement
often depends upon a misunderstand