Chapter 9

SGAN. (_Not seeing Lelio, and holding the portrait in his hand_). I have got it. I can now at my leisure look at the countenance of the rascal who causes my dishonour. I do not know him at all.

LEL. (_Aside_). Heavens! what do I see? If that be my picture, what then must I believe?

SGAN. (_Not seeing Lelio_). Ah! poor Sganarelle! your reputation is doomed, and to what a sad fate! Must... (_Perceiving that Lelio observes him he goes to the other side of the stage_).

LEL. (_Aside_). This pledge of my love cannot have left the fair hands to which I gave it, without startling my faith in her.

SGAN. (_Aside_). People will make fun of me henceforth by holding up their two fingers; songs will be made about me, and every time they will fling in my teeth that scandalous affront, which a wicked wife has printed upon my forehead.

LEL. (_Aside_). Do I deceive myself?

SGAN. (_Aside_). Oh! Jade!

[Footnote: The original is _truande_, which, as well as the masculine _truand_, meant, in old French, a vagabond, a rascal; it is still retained in the English phrase "to play the truant."]

were you impudent enough to cuckold me in the flower of my age? The wife too of a husband who may be reckoned handsome! and must be a monkey, a cursed addle-pated fellow...

LEL. (_Aside, looking still at the portrait in Sganarelle's hand_). I am not mistaken; it is my very picture.

SGAN. (_Turning his back towards him_). This man seems very inquisitive.

LEL. (_Aside_). I am very much surprised.

SGAN. What would he be at?

LEL. (_Aside_). I will speak to him. (_Aloud_). May I... (_Sganarelle goes farther off_). I say, let me have one word with you.

SGAN. (_Aside, and moving still farther_). What does he wish to tell me now?

LEL. Will you inform me by what accident that picture came into your hands?

SGAN. (_Aside_). Why does he wish to know? But I am thinking... (_Looking at Lelio and at the portrait in his hand_). Oh! upon my word, I know the cause of his anxiety; I no longer wonder at his surprise. This is my man, or rather, my wife's man.

LEL. Pray, relieve my distracted mind, and tell me how you come by...

SGAN. Thank Heaven, I know what disturbs you; this portrait, which causes you some uneasiness, is your very likeness, and was found in the hands of a certain acquaintance of yours; the soft endearments which have passed between that lady and you are no secret to me. I cannot tell whether I have the honour to be known by your gallant lordship in this piece of gallantry; but henceforth, be kind enough to break off an intrigue, which a husband may not approve of; and consider that the holy bonds of wedlock...

LEL. What do you say? She from whom you received this pledge...

SGAN. Is my wife, and I am her husband.

LEL. Her husband?

SGAN. Yes, her husband, I tell you. Though married I am far from merry; you, sir, know the reason of it; this very moment I am going to inform her relatives about this affair.

[Footnote: The original has _mari-tres-marri_; literally, "husband very sad;" _marri_ being the old French for sad: the ancient plays and tales are full of allusions to the connection between these two words, _mari_ and _marri_.]