ARGANTE, SCAPIN.

SCA
Well, Sir, you see how many people are killed for two hundred pistoles. Now I wish you a good morning.

ARG
(all trembling). Scapin.

SCA
What do you say?

ARG
I will give the two hundred pistoles.

SCA
I am very glad of it, for your sake.

ARG
Let us go to him; I have them with me.

SCA
Better give them to me. You must not, for your honour, appear in this business, now that you have passed for another; and, besides, I should be afraid that he would ask you for more, if he knew who you are.

ARG
True; still I should be glad to see to whom I give my money.
SCA
Do you mistrust me then?

ARG
Oh no; but....

SCA
Zounds! Sir; either I am a thief or an honest man; one or the other. Do you think I would deceive you, and that in all this I have any other interest at heart than yours and that of my master, whom you want to take into your family? If I have not all your confidence, I will have no more to do with all this, and you can look out for somebody else to get you out of the mess.

ARG
Here then.

SCA
No, Sir; do not trust your money to me. I would rather you trusted another with your message.

ARG
Ah me! here, take it.

SCA
No, no, I tell you; do not trust me. Who knows if I do not want to steal your money from you?

ARG
Take it, I tell you, and don't force me to ask you again. However, mind you have an acknowledgment from him.

SCA
Trust me; he hasn't to do with an idiot.
ARG
I will go home and wait for you.

SCA
I shall be sure to go. (Alone.) That one's all right; now for the other. Ah! here he is. They are sent one after the other to fall into my net.