The Unexpected Encounter

He is, moreover, an excellent fellow; he was born for joy, but he unfortunately has a most strange mental illness.

What is it?

He was formerly married in his own country. He had married a woman who drove him mad, & who gave him so much sorrow that he became insane because of it.

The poor devil!

His reason returned since he became a widower, but not so well that some resentment of his madness does not still remain. When the words wedding, marriage, or to marry are pronounced in front of him, he is suddenly seized by black vapors that make him furious.

What are you saying?

Fortunately, there is a sure way to calm his transports. As he loves painting as much as he hated his wife, one only has to speak to him of his art to make him as gentle as a lamb.

That is singular!

Nothing is more surprising... But by God, I think that is him passing by... he seems occupied by some new idea... Let us listen to him.

SCENE III.

VERTIGO makes contortions as if he were painting; he has a brush, pencils & paper in his hand.

EH! my friends, you are there? Be the witnesses of my glory; I have broken forever the chains that this coquettish, fickle, unfaithful, perfidious & wicked sex imposed upon me. I am a Cato,