OCTAVE, SILVESTRE.

OCT
Ah! what sad news for one in love! What a hard fate to be reduced to! So, Silvestre, you have just heard at the harbour that my father is coming back?

SIL
Yes.

OCT
That he returns this very morning?

SIL
This very morning.

OCT
With the intention of marrying me?

SIL
Of marrying you.

OCT
To a daughter of Mr. Géronte?

SIL
Of Mr. Géronte.
OCT
And that this daughter is on her way from Tarentum for that purpose?

SIL
For that purpose.

OCT
And you have this news from my uncle?

SIL
From your uncle.

OCT
To whom my father has given all these particulars in a letter?

SIL
In a letter.

OCT
And this uncle, you say, knows all about our doings?

SIL
All our doings.

OCT
Oh! speak, I pray you; don't go on in such a way as that, and force me to wrench everything from you, word by word.
SIL
But what is the use of my speaking? You don't forget one single detail, but state everything exactly as it is.

OCT
At least advise me, and tell me what I ought to do in this wretched business.

SIL
I really feel as much perplexed as you, and I myself need the advice of some one to guide me.

OCT
I am undone by this unforeseen return.

SIL
And I no less.

OCT
When my father hears what has taken place, a storm of reprimands will burst upon me.

SIL
Reprimands are not very heavy to bear; would to heaven I were free at that price! But I am very likely to pay dearly for all your wild doings, and I see a storm of blows ready to burst upon my shoulders.

OCT
Heavens! how am I to get clear of all the difficulties that beset my path!

SIL
You should have thought of that before entering upon it.
OCT
Oh, don't come and plague me to death with your unreasonable lectures.

SIL
You plague me much more by your foolish deeds.

OCT
What am I to do? What steps must I take? To what course of action have recourse?