Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 16.djvu/311

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You seem, charming Aglae, to place great confidence in the good Socrates.

It is my duty, sir; he has been a father to me; he has educated and instructed me.

And pray, my dear, as he has instructed you, tell me what is your opinion of Ceres, Cybele, and Venus?

Of them, sir, I will think just as you please.

'Tis well said, and you will do as I please, too, then I hope.

No, sir, that is quite another affair.

You see, the wise Socrates consents to our marriage, and Xantippe above all things wishes for it. You know my passion for you, and are no stranger to my rank and fortune; my happiness, perhaps your own too, depends on one word, therefore determine.

I will answer you, sir, with that truth and sincerity which the great man who just now left us taught me never to depart from: I respect your dignity, know but little of your person, and, in a word, can never be yours.