seeing her, and your eyes will have a long time to satisfy
themselves.

MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: To be completely free, I have arranged for my
wife to go to dinner at her sister's, where she'll spend all the
after-dinner hours.

DORANTE: You have done prudently, as your wife might have
embarrassed us. I have given the necessary orders to the cook for
you, and for the ballet. It is of my own invention; and, provided
the execution corresponds to the idea, I am sure it will be
found....

MONSIEUR JOURDAIN: (Sees that Nicole is listening, and gives her a
slap) Say! You're very impertinent! (To Dorante) Let's go, if you
please.

ACT THREE

SCENE VII (Madame Jourdain, Nicole)

NICOLE: My faith, Madame, curiosity has cost me; but I believe
something's afoot, since they were talking of some event where they
did not want you to be.

MADAME JOURDAIN: Today's not the first time, Nicole, that I've had
suspicions about my husband. I'm the most mistaken woman in the
world, or there's some love-affair in the making. But let us see to
my daughter. You know the love Cleonte has for her. He's a man who
appeals to me, and I want to help his suit and give him Lucile, if
I can.

NICOLE: Truly, Madame, I'm the most delighted creature in the world
to see that you feel this way, since, if the master appeals to you,
his valet appeals to me no less, and I could wish our marriage made
under the shadow of theirs.

MADAME JOURDAIN: Go speak to Cleonte about it for me, and tell him
to come to me soon so we can present his request to my husband for
my daughter in marriage.

NICOLE: I hasten, Madame, with joy, for I could not receive a more
agreeable commission. (Alone) I shall, I think, make them very
happy.

ACT THREE

SCENE VIII (Cleonte, Covielle, Nicole)

NICOLE: Ah! I'm glad to have found you. I'm an ambassadress of joy,
and I come...

CLEONTE: Get out, traitor, and don't come to amuse me with your
treacherous words.

NICOLE: Is this how you receive me...

CLEONTE: Get out, I tell you, and go tell your faithless mistress
that she will never again in her life deceive the too trusting
Cleonte.

NICOLE: What caprice is this? My dear Covielle, explain a little
what you are trying to say.

COVIELLE: Your dear Covielle, little hussy? Go, quickly, out of my
sight, villainess, and leave me in peace.

NICOLE: What! You come to me too... COVIELLE: Out of my sight, I
tell you, and never speak to me again. NICOLE: My word!