Act 3, Scene 4 Summary

Although she's in mid-gossip, Celimene gushes over Arsinoe when she enters, and Clitandre and Acaste exit laughing.

Arsinoe has come, she says, to warn Celimene that she has heard gossip about what a flirt Celimene is. She says she tried to defend Celimene, but that she finally had to agree with the accusers.

Celimene takes her revenge by telling Arsinoe that there are people who have recently gossiped about what a prude Arsinoe is. She claims that she defended Arsinoe, but says that it was to no avail. She also suggests to Arsinoe that they should always report to each other all the gossip they hear of each other. Celimene then goes on to say that it's okay to flirt a bit when you're young, but that when she's as old as Arsinoe, she, too, may have to resort to priggishness...