ARG. Yes, Sir. But we shall be more comfortable in my own little study. Help me, my love. BEL. Come, my poor, dear child. SCENE X.—ANGÉLIQUE, TOINETTE. TOI. They are shut up with the notary, and I heard something about a will; your mother-in-law doesn’t go to sleep; it is, no doubt, some conspiracy of hers against your interests to which she is urging your father. ANG. Let him dispose of his money as he likes, as long as he does not dispose of my heart in the same way. You see, Toinette, to what violence it is subjected. Do not forsake me, I beseech you, in this my extremity. TOI. I forsake you! I had rather die. In vain does your stepmother try to take me into her confidence, and make me espouse her interests. I never could like her, and I have always been on your side. Trust me, I will do every thing to serve you. But, in order to serve you more effectually, I shall change my tactics, hide my wish to help you, and affect to enter into the feelings of your father and your stepmother. ANG. Try, I beseech you, to let Cléante know about the marriage they have decided upon. TOI. I have nobody to employ for that duty but the old usurer Punchinello, my lover; it will cost me a few honeyed words, which I am most willing to spend for you. To-day it is too late for that, but to-morrow morning early I will send for him, and he will be delighted to.... SCENE XI.—BÉLINE (_in the house_), ANGÉLIQUE, TOINETTE. BEL. Toinette. TOI. (_to_ ANGÉLIQUE). I am called away. Good night. Trust me. FIRST INTERLUDE. ACT II. SCENE I.—CLÉANTE, TOINETTE. TOI. (_not recognising_ CLÉANTE). What is it you want, Sir? CLE. What do I want? TOI. Ah! ah! is it you? What a surprise! What are you coming here for? CLE. To learn my destiny, to speak to the lovely Angélique, to consult the feelings of her heart, and to ask her what she means to do about this fatal marriage of which I have been told. TOI. Very well; but no one speaks so easily as all that to Angélique; you must take precautions, and you have been told how narrowly she is watched. She never goes out, nor does she see anybody. It was through the curiosity of an old aunt that we obtained leave to go to the play where your love began, and we have taken good care not to say anything about it. CLE. Therefore am I not here as Cléante, nor as her lover, but as the friend of her music-master, from whom I have obtained leave to say that I have come in his stead. TOI. Here is her father; withdraw a little, and let me tell him who you are. SCENE II.—ARGAN, TOINETTE. ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). Mr. Purgon told me that I was to walk twelve times to and fro in my room every morning, but I forgot to ask him whether it should be lengthways or across. TOI. Sir, here is a gentleman.... ARG. Speak in a lower tone, you jade; you split my head open; and you forget that we should never speak so loud to sick people. TOI. I wanted to tell you, Sir.... ARG. Speak low, I tell you.