o hard-hearted fathers!

SYLVETTE. But who knows whether the hour is not at hand when our
fathers' hatred may end?

PERCINET. I doubt it.

SYLVETTE. I have heard of stranger things. I can think of half a
dozen--

PERCINET. What, for instance?

SYLVETTE. Imagine that the reigning prince comes riding past some
day--I run to him and kneel, and tell him the story of our love
and of our fathers' hatred. The prince asks to see my father and
Bergamin, and they are reconciled.

PERCINET. And your father gives me your hand!

SYLVETTE. Yes. Or else, you languish, the doctor declares you
cannot live--

PERCINET. And asks: "What ails you?"

SYLVETTE. And you answer: "I must have Sylvette!"

PERCINET. And his pride is then forced to bend.

SYLVETTE. Yes. Or else: an aged duke, having seen my portrait,
falls in love with me, sends a 'squire to sue for my hand, and offers
to make me a duchess.

PERCINET. And you say, "No!"

SYLVETTE. He is offended, and some dark night when I am in the
garden, meditating, he springs forth out of the darkness! I scream!

PERCINET. And I lose not a second in springing over the wall,
dagger in hand. I fight like a tiger, I--

SYLVETTE. You lay low three or four men. Then my father rushes
in and takes me in his arms. You tell him who you are. His heart
softens, he gives me to my savior. Your father consents, for he
is proud of your bravery.

PERCINET. Then we live together for years, happy and content!

SYLVETTE. This is not at all impossible, is it?

PERCINET. Someone's coming!

SYLVETTE. [Forgetting herself] Kiss me!

PERCINET. [Kissing her] This evening, at eight, then? As
usual? You will come?

SYLVETTE. No.

PERCINET. Yes!

SYLVETTE. [Disappearing behind the wall] Your father! [PERCINET
jumps quickly from the wall.]

[Enter BERGAMIN.]

BERGAMIN. Ah, ha, I find you here again, dreaming in this corner
of the park!

PERCINET. Father, I love this old corner! I adore this bench over
which the vines of the wall have so gracefully draped themselves.
See, what graceful arabesques these festoons make! The air is
purer here.

BERGAMIN. By the side of this wall?

PERCINET. I love it!

BERGAMIN. I see nothing lovable about it!

SYLVETTE. [Aside] He can't see why!

PERCINET. But it is charming, all covered with ivy and creeper.
See here, what honeysuckle! This hundred-year-old wall, with its
clinging vines, its cons