Lovers' Quarrels

A young woman (Ascagne) has worn masculine disguise since childhood, for the sake of an inheritance that would otherwise go to the household of young Valère

Ascagne loves Valère, who is a suitor of her sister Lucile, and cleverly manages to marry him in a midnight ceremony, Valère believing that his veiled and unseen bride is Lucile

Valère's manservant Mascarille is similarly deceived and, under pressure, conveys his misinformation to Éraste, a young man who jealously loves Lucile and is loved in turn by her

The ensuing quarrel between Éraste and Lucile lasts until the fourth act, and is paralleled by the quarreling and reconciliation of Gros-René (Éraste's valet) and Marinette (Lucile's maid)

"Nothing so good had yet been seen on the French stage as the quarrels and reconciliations of master, mistress, valet, and soubrette" ~ George Saintsbury