OCTAVE, SILVESTRE. OCT Ah! what sad news for one in love! What a hard fate to be reduced to! So, Silvestre, you have just heard at the harbour that my father is coming back? SIL Yes. OCT That he returns this very morning? SIL This very morning. OCT With the intention of marrying me? SIL Of marrying you. OCT To a daughter of Mr. Géronte? SIL Of Mr. Géronte. OCT And that this daughter is on her way from Tarentum for that purpose? SIL For that purpose. OCT And you have this news from my uncle? SIL From your uncle. OCT To whom my father has given all these particulars in a letter? SIL In a letter. OCT And this uncle, you say, knows all about our doings? SIL All our doings. OCT Oh! speak, I pray you; don't go on in such a way as that, and force me to wrench everything from you, word by word. SIL But what is the use of my speaking? You don't forget one single detail, but state everything exactly as it is. OCT At least advise me, and tell me what I ought to do in this wretched business. SIL I really feel as much perplexed as you, and I myself need the advice of some one to guide me. OCT I am undone by this unforeseen return. SIL And I no less. OCT When my father hears what has taken place, a storm of reprimands will burst upon me. SIL Reprimands are not very heavy to bear; would to heaven I were free at that price! But I am very likely to pay dearly for all your wild doings, and I see a storm of blows ready to burst upon my shoulders. OCT Heavens! how am I to get clear of all the difficulties that beset my path! SIL You should have thought of that before entering upon it. OCT Oh, don't come and plague me to d**h with your unreasonable lectures. SIL You plague me much more by your foolish deeds. OCT What am I to do? What steps must I take? To what course of action have recourse?