Harpagon. Without a dowry!

Valère. It is true; that closes one’s mouth at once. Without a dowry! There are no means of resisting an argument like that.

Harpagon (aside, looking towards the garden). Bless my soul! I think I hear a dog barking. Most likely it is some one with a design on my money. (To Valère). Do not stir; I am coming back directly.

Scene VIII.—Elise, Valère.

Elise. Are you jesting, Valère, to speak to him in that manner?

Valère. It is in order not to sour his temper, and to gain my end the better. To run counter to his opinions is the way to spoil everything; and there are certain minds which cannot be dealt with in a straightforward manner; temperaments averse to all resistance; restive characters, whom the truth causes to rear, who always set their faces against the straight road of reason, and whom you cannot lead except by turning them with their back towards the goal. Pretend to consent to what he wishes, you will gain your end all the better; and …

Elise. But this marriage, Valère!

Valère. We will find some pretext to break it off.

Elise. But what to invent, if it is to be consummated this evening?

Valère. You must ask for a delay, and pretend to be ill.

Elise. But the feint will be discovered, if they call in the doctors.

Valère. Are you jesting? What do they know about it? Come, come, with them you may have whatever illness you please; they will find you some reasons to tell you whence it proceeds.

Scene IX.—Harpagon, Elise, Valère.

Harpagon (aside, at the further end of the stage). It is nothing, thank Heaven.

Valère (not seeing Harpagon). In short, our last resource is flight, which will shelter us from everything; and if your love, fair Elise, be capable of acting with firmness … (Perceiving Harpagon). Yes, a daughter ought to obey her father. She ought not to look at the shape of a husband; and when the great argument of without a dowry is added to it, she must be ready to accept what is given to her.

Harpagon. Good: that is well spoken.

Valère. I crave your pardon, Sir, if I am a little warm, and take the liberty of speaking as I do.

Harpagon. How now! I am delighted with it, and I wish you to take an absolute control over her. (To Elise). Yes, you may run away as much as you like, I invest him with the authority which Heaven has given me over you, and I will have you do all that he tells you.

Valère (to Elise). After that, resist my remonstrances.

Scene X.—Harpagon, Valère.

Valère. With your leave, Sir, I will follow her, to continue the advice which I was giving her.

Harpagon. Yes, you will oblige me. By all means …