Harpagon. How do I know? Where can you get the means of Keeping up such an appearance?

Cléante. I, father? it is because I play; and, as I am very lucky, I put my winnings on my back.

Harpagon. That is very bad. If you are lucky at play, you should profit by it, and lay out the money you win at decent interest, that you may provide for a rainy day. I should much like to know, leaving all other things aside, what the good can be of all these ribbons with which you are decked out from head to foot, and if half-a-dozen tacks are not sufficient to fasten your breeches. Is it at all necessary to spend money upon wigs? when one can wear hair of home growth, which costs nothing! I would bet that your wig and ribbons cost for more than twenty pistoles, and twenty pistoles, at a little more than eight per cent. bring in eighteen livres, six pence, and eight groats a year.

Cléante. You are perfectly right.

Harpagon. Let us leave the subject, and talk of other things. (Perceiving that Cléante and Elise interchange glances). Eh! (Softly, aside). I believe that they are making signs to each other to rob me of my purse. (Aloud). What mean those gestures?

Elise. My brother and I are arguing who shall speak first. We have each something to say to you.

Harpagon. And I have something to say to you both.

Cléante. It is about marriage that we wish to speak to you, father.

Harpagon. And it is also about marriage that I wish to converse with you.

Elise. Ah, father!

Harpagon. Why this cry? Is it the word, or the thing itself that frightens you, daughter?

Cléante. The way you may look at marriage may frighten us both; and we fear that your sentiments may not happen to chime in with our choice.

Harpagon. A little patience; do not alarm yourselves. I know what is good for you both, and neither the one nor the other shall have cause to complain of what I intend to do. To begin at one end of the story (to Cléante), tell me, have you noticed a young person called Mariane, who lodges not far from here?

Cléante. Yes, father.

Harpagon. And you?

Elise. I have heard her spoken of.

Harpagon. How do you like that girl, son?

Cléante. A very charming person.

Harpagon. What do you think of her countenance?

Cléante. Very genteel, and full of intelligence.

Harpagon. Her air and manner?

Cléante. Without doubt, admirable.

Harpagon. Do you not think that a girl like that deserves to be taken notice of?