ompliments. [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 finally 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 grows dark. For a moment the stage is empty.
Then, in PASQUINOT's park, enter STRAFOREL and swordsmen, musicians,
and torch-bearers.]

STRAFOREL. I see one star already. The day is dying. [He places
his men about the stage.] Stay there--you there--and you there.
The hour is near. You will see, as the clock strikes eight, a
figure in white enter on this side. Then I whistle--[He looks at
the sky again.] The moon? Splendid! Every effect is perfect
to-night! [Examining the costumes of his band] The capes and
mantles are excellent. Look a little more dangerous, over there!
Now, ready? [A sedan-chair is brought in.] The chair over there
in the shade. [Seeing the negroes who carry the chair] The
negroes are good! [Speaking at a distance] Torches, there, you
understand you are not to come until you receive the signal? [The
faint refle