Chapter 14

Gr.-Re. Upon my word this is funny! How people jump out of the windows in this place! I must just stop here and see what comes of it. (_Hides._)

Gor. I cannot find the doctor; I wonder where he went to hide himself. (_seeing_ _Sganarelle returning with his doctor's gown_) Ah! here he is. It is not sufficient, sir, to have forgiven your brother, I beg you to give me the satisfaction of seeing you embrace him. He is in my house; I was looking everywhere for you, to ask you to make your peace with him in my presence.

Sgan. You are joking, Mr. Gorgibus; is it not sufficient that I should have forgiven him? I will never see him again.

Gor. Do it for my sake, sir, I pray.

Sgan. I can refuse you nothing: tell him to come down (_while_ Gorgibus _goes into the house by the door_, Sganarelle _goes in by the window_).

Gor. (_at the window_). Here is your brother waiting for you yonder; he has promised me that he will do all you like.

Sgan. (_at the window_). Mr. Gorgibus, I beg of you to make him come here; let me see him, and ask him, in private, to forgive me, for no doubt he would treat me roughly, and would shame me before everybody. (Gorgibus_ comes out of his house by the door_; Sganarelle _by the window_.)

Gor. Very well, I will tell him. Sir, he says that he is thoroughly ashamed, and he begs you to come in, so that he may ask you in private to forgive him. Here is the key, you may come in. I beg of you not to refuse me, but give me this satisfaction.

Sgan. There is nothing I can refuse you. You will hear how I will speak to him. (_within the house_) Ah! so you are here, scoundrel!----My brother, I beg your pardon, I assure you it was not my fault.----Profligate wretch! I will teach you to dare importune Mr. Gorgibus, and plague him with your absurdities!----Ah! my brother ... ----Hold your tongue, I tell you.--I would not disoblige ... ---- ... Be silent, rascal.----

Gr.-Re. (_coming forward_). Who do you think is in your house at present?

Gor. Why! it is the Doctor with his brother Narcissus; they have had a quarrel, but they are making it up.

Gr.-Re. Deuce take it, if they are more than one!

Sgan. (_within the house_) Drunkard that you are! I will teach you how to behave.--He may well look down! He feels he has done wrong, the good-for-nothing scoundrel! Ah, the hypocrite, how he pretends to be good!

Gr.-Re. (_to_ Gorgibus). Sir, do ask him, just for fun, to make his brother show himself at the window.

Gor. Very well. Sir, pray make your brother show himself at the window.

Sgan. (_from the window_). He is unworthy of being seen by honourable people; and, besides, I could not bear to have him by the side of me.

Gor. Sir, do not refuse me this favour, after all those you have granted me.

Sgan. (_from the window_). Truly, Mr. Gorgibus, you have so much power over me that I can refuse you nothing. Show yourself, scoundrel! (_after having disappeared one moment, he reappears as a valet._) Mr. Gorgibus, I am so much indebted to you. (_Disappears, and reappears again as doctor._) Well, did you see that picture of drunkenness?

Gr.-Re. (_to_ Gorgibus). I know they are but one, and to prove it, tell him that you want to see them both together.

Gor. But grant me the favour of showing yourself with him, and of embracing him at the window before me.

Sgan. (_from the window_). It is a thing I would refuse to any one but you; but, to show you that I would do anything for your sake, I consent, though with difficulty, and I wish that he should first ask you to forgive him for the trouble he has given you.--Yes, Mr. Gorgibus, I beg your pardon for having troubled you so much; and I promise you, my brother, in the presence of Mr. Gorgibus, to be so careful in future that you will never have reason to complain. I beg of you not to think any more of what is past (_he kisses his hat and his ruff, which he has put at the end of his elbow_).

Gor. Well, did you not see them both?

Gr.-Re. Upon my word, he is a sorcerer!

Sgan. (_coming out of the house as doctor_). I give you back the key of your house, sir. I do not wish this scoundrel to come down with me, for he makes me ashamed of him. I would not, for anything, that he should be seen with me in this town, where I have some reputation. You can send him away when you please. I wish you good morning, and am your humble servant _(feigns to go, but, after having thrown down his gown, enters the house by the window_).

Gor. I must go, and set this poor fellow free. To say the truth, if his brother has forgiven him, it is not before ill-treating him very much (_goes into his house, and comes out with Sganarelle as a servant_).

Sgan. I thank you very much, sir, for the trouble you have taken and the kindness you have shown me. I shall be obliged to you for it all my life.

Gr.-Re. (_to_ Gorgibus). Where do you think the doctor is now?

Gor. He is gone away.

Gr.-Re. (_who has picked up_ Sganarelle's _gown_). I hold him under my arm. There is the knave who played the doctor and deceived you; and, while he is deceiving you and playing you off, Valère and your daughter are together, doing all they like.

Gor. Ah! how unfortunate I am! But you shall be hanged! you knave! you scoundrel!

Sgan. Why, sir, what good will it do you to hang me? Hear a word or two, I beg of you. It is true that, thanks to my stratagem, my master is with your daughter; but, while serving him, I have done you no wrong. It is a good match for her, both as to birth and money. Believe me, do not make a scandal which would turn to your shame; but send this knave here to the devil along with Villebrequin. But here are our lovers.