Cléante. He is getting angry at your refusal.

Harpagon (softly to his son). Ah! you wretch!

Cléante (to Mariane). You see that he is getting desperate.

Harpagon (in a suppressed tone to his son, threatening him). Murderer that you are!

Cléante. It is not my fault, father. I am doing all that I can to make her keep it; but she is obstinate.

Harpagon (in a great passion, whispering to his son). Hangdog!

Cléante. You are the cause, Madam, of my father’s upbraiding me.

Harpagon (same as before, to his son). The scoundrel!

Cléante (to Mariane). You will make him ill. Pray, Madam, do not resist any longer.

Frosine (to Mariane). Good Heavens, what ceremonies! Keep the ring, since the gentleman wishes it.

Mariane (to Harpagon). Not to put you into a passion, I shall keep it now, and I shall take another opportunity of returning it to you.

Scene XIII.—Harpagon, Mariane, Elise, Cléante, Valère, Frosine, Brindavoine.

Brindavoine. Sir, there is a man who wishes to speak to you.

Harpagon. Tell him that I am engaged, that he is to return at another time.

Brindavoine. He says that he brings you some money.

Harpagon (to Mariane). I beg your pardon; I shall be back directly.

Scene XIV.—Harpagon, Mariane, Elise, Cléante, Valère, Frosine, La Merluche.

Merluche (running against Harpagon, whom he knocks down). Sir …

Harpagon. Oh! I am killed!

Cléante. What is it, father? have you hurt yourself?

Harpagon. The wretch has surely been bribed by my debtors to make me break my neck.

Valère (to Harpagon). That will be nothing.

Merluche (to Harpagon). I beg your pardon, Sir; I thought I was doing well in running quickly.

Harpagon. What have you come here for, you hang-dog?

Merluche. To tell you that your two horses have lost their shoes.

Harpagon. Let them be taken to the farrier immediately.

Cléante. While waiting for their being shod, I will do the honours of your house for you, father, and conduct this lady into the garden, whither I shall have the refreshments brought.