Jacqueline (taking Lucas by the arm, and swinging him round also). Get out of the way. Am I not big enough to take my own part, if he does anything to me which he ought not to do?

Lucas. I will not have him touch you, I will not.

Sganarelle. For shame you rascal, to be jealous of your wife.

Géronte. Here comes my daughter.

Scene VI.—Lucinde, Géronte, Sganarelle, Valère, Lucas, Jacqueline.

Sganarelle. Is this the patient?

Géronte. Yes, I have but one daughter; and I would never get over it if she were to die.

Sganarelle. Do not let her do anything of the kind. She must not die without a prescription of the physician.

Géronte. A chair here!

Sganarelle (seated between Géronte and Lucinde). This is not at all an unpleasant patient, and I am of the opinion that she would not be at all amiss for a man in very good health.

Géronte. You have made her laugh, Sir.

Sganarelle. So much the better. It is the best sign in the world when a physician makes the patient laugh. (To Lucinde.) Well, what is the matter? What ails you? What is it you feel?

Lucinde (replies by motions, by putting her hand to her mouth, her head, and under her chin). Ha, hi, ho, ha!

Sganarelle. What do you say?

Lucinde (continues the same motions). Ha, hi, ho, ha, ha, hi, ho!

Sganarelle. What is that?

Lucinde. Ha, hi, ho!

Sganarelle (imitating her). Ha, hi, ho, ha, ha! I do not understand you. What sort of language do you call that?

Géronte. That is just where her complaint lies, Sir. She has become dumb, without our having been able till now to discover the cause. This accident has obliged us to postpone her marriage.

Sganarelle. And why so?

Géronte. He whom she is going to marry wishes to wait for her recovery to conclude the marriage.

Sganarelle. And who is this fool that does not want his wife to be dumb? Would to Heaven that mine had that complaint! I should take particular care not to have her cured.

Géronte. To the point, Sir. We beseech you to use all your skill to cure her of this affliction.

Sganarelle. Do not make yourself uneasy. But tell me, does this pain oppress her much?

Géronte. Yes, Sir.