Chapter: SCENE VI

  VALERE, ORGON, MADAME PERNELLE, ELMIRE, CLEANTE, MARIANE, DAMIS,
  DORINE


  VALERE
  'Tis with regret, sir, that I bring bad news;
  But urgent danger forces me to do so.
  A close and intimate friend of mine, who knows
  The interest I take in what concerns you,
  Has gone so far, for my sake, as to break
  The secrecy that's due to state affairs,
  And sent me word but now, that leaves you only
  The one expedient of sudden flight.
  The villain who so long imposed upon you,
  Found means, an hour ago, to see the prince,
  And to accuse you (among other things)
  By putting in his hands the private strong-box
  Of a state-criminal, whose guilty secret,
  You, failing in your duty as a subject,
  (He says) have kept. I know no more of it
  Save that a warrant's drawn against you, sir,
  And for the greater surety, that same rascal
  Comes with the officer who must arrest you.

  CLEANTE
  His rights are armed; and this is how the scoundrel
  Seeks to secure the property he claims.

  ORGON
  Man is a wicked animal, I'll own it!

  VALERE
  The least delay may still be fatal, sir.
  I have my carriage, and a thousand louis,
  Provided for your journey, at the door.
  Let's lose no time; the bolt is swift to strike,
  And such as only flight can save you from.
  I'll be your guide to seek a place of safety,
  And stay with you until you reach it, sir.

  ORGON
  How much I owe to your obliging care!
  Another time must serve to thank you fitly;
  And I pray Heaven to grant me so much favour
  That I may some day recompense your service.
  Good-bye; see to it, all of you ...

  CLEANTE
  Come hurry;
  We'll see to everything that's needful, brother.

 Just then, Valere shows up - and he's got even more bad news. He's just had word that Tartuffe has denounced Orgon to the King and used the contents of the strongbox to back up his claims. He tells Orgon that he must flee the country immediately. Cleante states the obvious: Tartuffe's done this to make sure he can seize Orgon's estate without trouble. Valere urges Orgon to leave; he's got a carriage waiting outside, and enough cash to get him out. He promises to travel with him until they find a safe place to stay.Orgon says his goodbyes and is half out the door when...

