[1] LISETTE.  An interesting type.  See Introduction, p. lxvii.

[2] LEPINE.  One of the three valets of Marivaux which may be considered as new types.  See Introduction, p. lviii.

[3] DE CETTE GRANDE JEUNESSE, ‘So very young.’

[4] L’EVENEMENT, ‘The result,’ ‘outcome.’

[5] MOYENNANT, ‘Considering.’  The modern meaning is ’in consideration of.’

[6] NOUS SOMMES A CETTE CAMPAGNE. A for dans, the modern form.

[7] GASCON FROID.  A type striking by reason of its exception to the general class. Gascon is often synonymous with boaster, liar, and blusterer.  Composure or sobriety is the least of his virtues, and when found may perhaps give reason for distrust.  Compare the character of de Guiche in Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac: “Le Gascon souple et froid” (Act I, Sc. iii).  “Rien de plus dangereux qu’un Gascon raisonnable” (Act IV, Sc. iii).

[8] MONSIEUR DE LEPINE.  This title, though often ironically or latteringly given to Lepine throughout the play, goes far to show the type of independent valet one has to deal with here.

[9] INCONTINENT, ‘Immediately.’  From the Latin in continenti.

[10] SUR LE MEME TON.  Equivalent to pied, the modern form.

[11] DE SOUPCONS.  There is an ellipsis here:  Pour ce qui est de soupcons.  More usually:  Quant a avoir des soupcons, j’en ai, etc.

[12] JE DIFFERE AVEC VOUS DE PENSEE.  This form would scarcely be used nowadays. Je ne suis pas de votre avis would be preferred.

[13] D’OU VIENT.  See Le Jeu de l’amour et du hasard, note 220.

[14] LE TOUT EST EGAL, ‘Every condition is alike (in that respect).’  This expression would be replaced in modern French by tout etat est bon.

[15] MONS, an abbreviation for Monsieur.  Used to express contempt.

[16] D’HOMME D’HONNEUR.  The complete expression would be Foi d’homme d’honneur.  See le Jeu de l’amour et du hasard, note 110.

[17] JE VOUS EN OFFRE AUTANT.  See le Jeu de l’amour et du hasard, note 173.

[18] C’EST TOUT AU PLUS SI JE CONNOIS ACTUELLEMENT LA VOTRE, ’It is saying a good deal if I even know yours now.’

[19] DESSUS.  Later editions print sur, which would be the modern expression.

[20] SANDIS.  A Gascon oath.  For sang (de) Dieu.  Cf. morbleu, parbleu, ventrebleu.  None of these expletives, any more than mon Dieu should ever be translated literally—­They have wholly lost their original force and meaning.

[21] OUI-DA.  See Le Jeu de l’amour et du hasard, note 21.

[22] N’Y VOYEZ-VOUS RIEN.  Note the use of y applied to a person.  Cf. with the use of the third person.

[23] REVENANT, ‘Pleasing.’

[24] DISTINGUE. Distinguer sometimes means ’to examine with a view to marriage.’  Compare:  “Est-ce que je l’aimais?  Dans le fond je le distinguais, voila tout; et distinguer un homme, ce n’est pas encore l’aimer” (Marivaux, l’Heureux Stratageme, I, 4).