LE VIEUX CÉLIBATAIRE. [act i

Schie III.

1. 85. d'une vitesse extrême^ with extrême quickness; de is often

used instead of avec.

Comp. Molière:

"Vous les voulez traiter d* un semblable langage,'*^

(Tartuffe.) 1. 86. Crac^ onomatop., hence the verb craquer.

il s* est en allé, he went away =// est allé d*icL The neuter verb aller is . one of the few which hâve preserved the reflexive fonn they had during the middle âges. The French of the thirteenth century used to say se gésir i to lie, se dormir^ to sleep, etc.; s* en aller and s^ endormir are remuants of the old custom.

L 88. sans adieux sans [vous dire} adieu; I shall not say good-bye.