Frosine. Are you jesting? You marry him only on condition of soon leaving you a widow; and that must be one of the articles of the contract. It would be impertinent in him not to die within three months! Here he is himself!

Mariane. Ah, Frosine, what a figure!

Scene IX.—Harpagon, Mariane, Frosine.

Harpagon (to Mariane). Do not be offended, my beauty, that I come to you with my spectacles on. I know that your charms strike the eye sufficiently, are visible enough by themselves, and that there is no need of spectacles to perceive them; but after all, it is through them that we look at the stars, and I maintain and vouch for it that you are a star; but a star, the brightest in the land of stars. Frosine, she does not answer a word, and does not testify, from what I can perceive, the slightest joy in seeing me.

Frosine. It is because she is as yet taken all aback; and besides, girls are always ashamed to show at first sight what passes in their hearts.

Harpagon. You are right. (To Mariane). Here comes my daughter, sweet child, to welcome you.

Scene X.—Harpagon, Elise, Mariane, Frosine.

Mariane. I am much behind, Madam, in acquitting myself of such a visit.

Elise. You have done, Madam, what it was my duty to do, and it was my place to have been beforehand with you.

Harpagon. You see what a great girl she is; but ill weeds grow apace.

Mariane (in a whisper, to Frosine). Oh! what an unpleasant man!

Harpagon (in a whisper, to Frosine). What says the fair one?

Frosine. That she thinks you admirable.

Harpagon. You do me too much honour, adorable pet.

Mariane (aside). What a brute!

Harpagon. I am much obliged to you for these sentiments.

Mariane (aside). I can hold out no longer.

Scene XI.—Harpagon, Mariane, Elise, Cléante, Frosine, Brindavoine.

Harpagon. There comes my son also, to pay his respects to you.

Mariane (in a whisper, to Frosine). Ah! Frosine, what a meeting! It is the very person of whom I spoke to you.

Frosine (to Mariane). The adventure is wonderful.

Harpagon. I see that you are surprised at my having such grown-up children; but I shall soon be rid of one and the other.

Cléante (to Mariane). Madam, to tell you the truth, this is an adventure, which no doubt, I did not expect; and my father has not a little astonished me, when, a short time ago, he communicated to me the plan which he had formed.