La fausse suivante, ou Le fourbe puni

(The False Maid, or the Rogue Punished )

(1724) - Pierre Carlet de Marivaux

Three-act comedy in which a young heiress disguises herself as a chevalier so that she may discover the true character of Lélio, to whom she is betrothed. Deceived by her impersonation, Lélio unwittingly reveals himself as a fortune seeker. The "Chevalier" uses her new insight to protect herself and a countess (to whom Lélio had previously been betrothed) from an odious entanglement, and by the end of the play the true identity and purpose of each character has been exposed to the others.