Pasquinot.  For our children, yes.  Let us therefore suffer in silence, and regret our former liberty.

Bergamin.  Sacrifice is the lot of parents.

[Sylvette and Percinet appear at the left, up stage, arm in arm.]

Pasquinot.  Sh!—­the lovers!

Bergamin. [Looking at them] See them!  How they love each other! 
Like the old pilgrims of love, they return each day to the sacred spot.

[The lovers, who have meantime disappeared, re-appear on the opposite side of the stage, and come down toward the old men.]

Pasquinot.  If they are talking as they usually do, their conversation will be well worth listening to!

[Bergamin and Pasquinot retire behind a tree.]

Percinet.  I love you.

Sylvette.  I love you. [They stop.] Here is the famous spot.

Percinet.  Yes.  He fell here, that big fellow, pierced to the heart.

Sylvette.  There was I, like Andromeda.

Percinet.  And I was Perseus!

Sylvette.  How many were there against you?

Percinet.  Ten!

Sylvette.  Oh, there were twenty at least, not counting the big leader.

Percinet.  Or thirty—­there must have been!

Sylvette.  Tell me once more how it was accomplished?

Percinet.  They fell—­like cards in a row!

Sylvette.  Our story should be put into a poem!

Percinet.  It shall be.

Sylvette.  How I love you!

Percinet.  I adore you!

Sylvette.  A realized dream.  How my heart beats!  I would never think of marrying a commonplace little husband picked out by my father!

Percinet.  Indeed?

Sylvette.  No, no, not the way husbands are usually given to young girls.

Percinet.  No, you would never have thought of marrying the son of your father’s best friend.

Sylvette. [Laughing] Indeed not.  Have you noticed how our fathers have lately—?

Percinet.  Yes, like two dogs.

Bergamin. [Aside] Hm!

Percinet.  And I know the reason why.  This new arrangement is not the best thing for their property.  Our fathers are very good people, you know, but they haven’t much soul, and our brilliant adventure rather throws them into the shade—­

Pasquinot. [Aside] How’s that?

Sylvette.  You see, they are fathers of celebrated lovers.  Poor fathers, how they have been deceived!

Pasquinot. [Aside] Ha, ha!

Percinet.  Yes, fate has been with us!

Bergamin. [Aside] Ha, ha!

Sylvette.  And to-night the marriage-contract is to be signed!