The Farrier (1771) - Page 9

MARCEL.

Is it the fear of walking in your aunt's footsteps original: "aller sur les brisées de ta tante" - literally "to go on the broken branches of your aunt", a hunting term for following someone's trail.?

CLAUDINE.

Oh, do not let that worry you.

Air: Without Compliment.

I am not, whatever they say,

As wicked as they make me out to be:

Wholeheartedly I authorize you

Without regarding my own interest.

I was thinking of Mr. La Bride;

But since this match pleases her,

I decide to yield it.

Let Jeannette make use of it now

Without compliment.

MARCEL.

Well, that is spoken like a person: I have finally managed to satisfy both of them. Come, Jeannette, show some joy. Claudine, the key to the chest: let me go and make myself dapper. You will warn me when friend La Bride has arrived. What pleasure it gives me to see you two as good friends! Long live a man of sense for bringing peace to a household. (He exits.)

SCENE III.

JEANNETTE, CLAUDINE.

JEANNETTE, aside.

My aunt is the cause of all the trouble happening to me; but I shall have my revenge for it.

CLAUDINE.

What are you mumbling there, you little fool? I think you are in a bad mood. I advise you to stop it: come, hold your head up, Madame La Bride.

JEANNETTE, impatiently.

I will never bear that name.