The Locksmith: A Comic Opera

Oh! that is not it, truly; this building is separated from the house by our whole garden, and I am quite sure he will not come here. But he wants to marry you off, Bastienne.

And to whom, then, my aunt?

To Blaise, that old farmer.

Will you permit that?

Permit it! Ah! by heavens, Original: "jarni." A mild, rustic oath used for emphasis in 18th-century French comedy. you do not know me. I know his plan well. Bastienne has a dowry of a thousand crowns; The "écu" or crown was a high-value silver coin. A thousand crowns was a substantial sum that would tempt a greedy guardian like Eloy. Blaise is rich; our man loves money. By means of this marriage, he would keep the thousand crowns as long as he liked. But besides the fact that someone else's property never brings a profit, that marriage displeases me. I have it in my head that it shall not happen; and by my lady! Original: "tredame." An exclamation similar to "by Our Lady," often used by lower-class or provincial characters in theater. it shall not happen. I am the mistress here, and I would not do my husband's will even if there were a hundred thousand francs to be won.

Ah! my dear aunt, do not abandon us!

Well, it is settled then; it is decided. I will not budge from it. Love each other, I wish it, I will marry you off, it is settled; do not worry. Just come here, Julien.

I fear at every moment that Master Eloy might surprise me; he is so jealous!

It is very true. His bad mood sometimes gives me an itch for revenge. It is very lucky that I am an honest woman; for, by my life! he would not get off with just a fright. Nicole implies that if she were less virtuous, she would give her husband a real reason to be jealous as a punishment for his behavior.

Vocabulary: Bastienne, Nicole, Julien, Blaise, Master Eloy, dowry, crowns, marriage, locksmith, by heavens, by my lady