true that these things are no secret; but I shall be telling them to
a man who knows nothing about it, and it is forbidden to talk scandal
of one's neighbour. All this is true. On the other hand, however,
here is a stranger they want to impose upon, who comes in all good
faith to marry a girl he knows nothing about, and whom be has never
seen. A gentleman all openheartedness, for whom I feel some
inclination, who does me the honour of reckoning me his friend, puts
his confidence in me, and gives me a ring to keep for his sake.
(_To_ MR. DE POURCEAUGNAC) Yes, I think that I can tell you how
things are without wounding my conscience. But I must try to tell it
all to you in the mildest way possible, and to spare people as much
as I can. If I were to tell you that this girl leads a bad life, it
would be going too far. I must find some milder term to explain
myself. The word coquette does not come up to the mark; that of
downright flirt seems to me to answer the purpose pretty well, and I
can make use of it to tell you honestly what she is.

MR. POUR. They want to make a fool of me then?

SBRI. But it may not be so bad as people think; and after all, there
are men who set themselves above such things, and who do not think
that their honour depends upon....

MR. POUR. I am your servant; I have no wish to adorn my person with
such a head-dress, and the Pourceaugnacs are accustomed to walk with
their heads free.

SBRI. Here is the father.

MR. POUR. Who? this old man?