OCR Text |
Show P R O G R A M M E S OF BALLETS. 347 joyed at her suceess, and confides in the kindness of the supposed Marquis. The Steward now arrives, accompanied by country people of both sexes, together with Colin and Mathurin, the latter of w h o m has informed them of every thing. Preparations are made to receive the Marquis, and the Steward's orders are promptly executed. Frontin now appears dressed in his master's clothes ; he receives, with an amusing air of assumed grandeur, the compliments of the villagers, acknowledging, in a burlesque style, their declarations of attachment. The Steward, in the name of the tenantry, assures him of their devoted affection ; at the same time presenting his niece with her two rivals, and asking his consent to the marriage of Louise. The pretended Marquis, having his own views upon her, defers giving his decision from some certain secret motive, and gives orders for the fete to begin. Every one obeys. The enamoured party appear in great anxiety. After the Divertissement, Frontin rises, and declares his intention of giving a dinner at the chateau, to the surrounding nobility and gentry. Every one now prepares himself for the new fete. The joyous peasantry and the Steward accompany Frontin to his residence. Colin and Louise steal away from the crowd and return to complain of their fate. The Marquis himself now appears, he seems extremely disappointed at not having met his lady ; at being obliged to hasten his journey, which he has performed on foot : he is exhausted by fatigue. Perceiving the two villagers, he inquires of them if they had observed any person arrive in the village ? They reply yes, and that the Marquis is arrived at the chateau. The Marquis is astonished! On making further inquiries he learns clearly what has taken place, and suspects his roguish |