Bergamin. [Scratching his head—­aside to Pasquinot] Well, what do you think?

Pasquinot.  Hm, what do you?

Bergamin.  I think that we should do everything in the best possible way, no expense spared.  Let us give our young romancers something they’ll not soon forget.  Let’s have it with masks, dark mantles, torches, music, and a sedan-chair!

Straforel. [Taking notes] A first-class, then, with all extras.

Bergamin.  That’s it.

Straforel.  I shall return soon. [To Pasquinot] Remember,
Monsieur, to leave open the door of your park to-night.

Bergamin.  Very well, it shall be done.

Straforel. [Bowing] My compliments. [Turning to go] One first-class—­with extras. [He goes out.]

Pasquinot.  The honest man, he went without telling us the price!

Bergamin.  Everything is arranged.  Now we’ll live together, after demolishing the wall.

Pasquinot.  And in winter we’ll have but one hearth and home!

Bergamin.  Our dearest wishes are about to be realized!

Pasquinot.  And we’ll grow old together!

Bergamin.  Dear old Pasquinot!

Pasquinot.  Dear old Bergamin! [They embrace.  Sylvette and Percinet enter, from each side of the stage and, seeing their fathers embrace]

Sylvette.  Oh!

Bergamin. [Aside to Pasquinot] Your daughter!

Percinet.  Oh!

Pasquinot. [Aside to Bergamin] Your son!

Bergamin. [Aside to Pasquinot] We must pretend to fight! [Their embrace is transformed into a struggle.] Rascal!

Pasquinot.  Fool!

Sylvette. [Pulling her father’s coat-tails] Papa!

Percinet. [Doing the same with his father] Papa!

Bergamin.  Let us be!

Pasquinot.  He insulted me!

Bergamin.  He struck me!

Pasquinot.  Coward!

Sylvette.  Papa!

Bergamin.  Thief!

Percinet.  Papa!

Pasquinot.  Bandit!

Sylvette.  Papa!! [Sylvette and Percinet succeed in separating the fathers.]

Percinet. [Dragging his father away] Go in now, it’s late.

Bergamin. [Trying to go to the wall again] I can’t control myself.  Just let me—! [Percinet takes him out.]

Pasquinot. [Also trying to return to the wall] I’ll kill him!

Sylvette. [Dragging Pasquinot out] The air is so damp!  Think of your rheumatism! [They go out.]

[Little by little it grow dark.  For a moment the stage is empty.  Then, in PASQUINOT’s park, enter Straforel and swordsmen, musicians, and torch-bearers.]