brother.

Benoit hears from them, that he has four charming sisters, who have
been sent to a convent and he at once promises to assist his new
friends. Meanwhile Javotte appears in the mask of an oriental Queen
and Benoit makes love to her, but he is very much stupified when she
takes off her mask, and he recognizes Javotte. She laughingly turns
away from him, when the good-for-nothing youth's new parents appear, to
reproach him with his levity. But Benoit, nothing daunted rushes away,
telling the Marquis that he intends to visit his sisters in the
convent. Miton tries in vain to recall him. Then the two old suitors
of Agathe and Chimene appear, to complain that their deceased wife and
grand-mother were invited, and while the Marquis explains his son's
mistake, the four daughters rush in, having been liberated by their
lovers and their unknown brother, whom they greet with a fondness very
shocking to the old Marchioness. The elderly suitors withdraw,
swearing to take vengeance on the inopportune brother.

In the last act Benoit appears in his father's house in a somewhat
dilapidated state. He has spent the night amongst gay companions and
met Gautru and de Merlussac successively, who have both fought him and
believe they have killed him, Benoit having feigned to be dead on the
spot.

When the old Marquis enters, he is very much astonished at receiving
two letters of condolence {303} from his daughter's suitors. Miton
appears in mourning, explaining that Mme. de Maintenon's visit being
expected, they must all wear dark colors as she prefers these.
Meanwhile Benoit has had an interview with Javotte, in which he
declares his love to be undiminished, and he at once asks his father to
give him Javotte as his wife, threatening to reveal the Marquis' deceit
to the King, if his request is not granted. In this dilemma help comes
in the persons of the two young Marquises, who present their King's
condolences to old Moncontour. This gentleman hears to his great
relief, that his son is supposed to have fallen in a duel, and so he is
disposed of. Nobody is happier than Javotte, who now claims Benoit for
her own, while the Marquis, who receives a Duke's title from the King
in compensation for his loss, gladly gives his two elder daughters to
their young and noble lovers.

The girls, well aware, that they owe their happiness to their adopted
brother, are glad to provide him with ample means for his marriage with
Javott