SCÈNE IX

Page 39.

1. 16. fait passer... à M. Notice that faire requires a dative when used with a transitive infinitive : an accusative when used with an intransitive one. Cf. p. 54, 1. 12 and p. 59, 1. 28.

1. 25. niais. Originally a hunting-term meaning ' caught in the nest.' So 2^ faucon 7iiais (falconem tiidacem) was a falcon caught in the nest before it could fly : whence the metaphorical sensé of 'foolish,' ' simple.'

1. 29. où veut-il en venir? ' What is he coming to after ail this?' Compare the phrase, Il faut en venir là, ' We must come to that at last.'

Page 40.

1. 1. 7nal mené. Usually written now malmené, ' ill-treated.' 1. 2. louis. In 1640, Louis XIII coined a gold-piece of 10 francs whichwas called after him, and the name was kept under his successors, although the value was altered to 24 francs. The louis of the Restoration, spoken of hère, was 20 francs (about 16^.).