your cold?

PASQUINOT. Still troubles me, devil take it!

BERGAMIN. Well, the marriage is arranged!

PASQUINOT. What?

BERGAMIN. I heard everything--I was hidden in the bushes. They
adore each other!

PASQUINOT. Bravo!

BERGAMIN. We must bring matters to a head! [He rubs his hands.]
Ha, ha! Now we can do as we had planned--

PASQUINOT. Yes, and tear down the wall.

BERGAMIN. And live together.

PASQUINOT. Joining our properties.

BERGAMIN. By marrying our children. But I wonder whether they
would be so anxious if they knew we wished it? A marriage arranged
beforehand is not so tempting to two young children so romantic as
ours. That is why we kept our own wishes a secret. I felt sure
that after they had been separated--Sylvette in the convent,
Percinet at school--they would thrive on their secret love. That
is how I came to invent this hatred of ours. And you even doubted
its success! Now all we have to do is to say Yes.

PASQUINOT. But how can it be done? Remember, I've called you a
scoundrel, fool, idiot--

BERGAMIN. Idiot? Scoundrel was sufficient.

PASQUINOT. Now what pretext--?

BERGAMIN. Your daughter herself has given me an inspiration. This
evening they are to meet here at eight. Percinet comes first. At
the moment Sylvette appears, mysterious men in black will emerge
from the shadows and start to carry her off. An abduction! She
screams, then our young hero gives chase, draws his sword--the
ravishers pretend to flee--I arrive on the scene, then you--your
daughter is safe and sound. You bless the couple and drop a few
appropriate tears; my heart is softened. Tableau.

PASQUINOT. A stroke of genius.

BERGAMIN. [Modestly] Yes--I think it really is. Look--see that
man coming? It's Straforel, the bravado whom I wrote to a few
minutes ago. He is to superintend the abduction.

[STRAFOREL, in an elaborate swordsman's costume, appears at the
back of BERGAMIN's park, and swaggers down-stage.]

BERGAMIN. [Descending from the wall and bowing low to STRAFOREL]
Allow me to introduce you to my friend Pasquinot.

STRAFOREL. [Bowing] Monsieur! [He raises his head and sees no
PASQUINOT.]

BERGAMIN. [Pointing to PASQUINOT on the crest of the wall]
There, on the wall!--Now, my dear master, does my plan meet with
your approval?

STRAFOREL. It does. It is most simple.

BERGAMIN. You must act quickly, you understand?

STRAFOREL. And say nothing!

BERG