CLE. Very willingly, Sir, if it is all that is required to become your son-in-law. I will turn doctor; apothecary also, if you like. It is not such a difficult thing after all, and I would do much more to obtain from you the fair Angélique. BER. But, brother, it just strikes me; why don’t you turn doctor yourself? It would be much more convenient to have all you want within yourself. TOI. Quite true. That is the very way to cure yourself. There is no disease bold enough to dare to attack the person of a doctor. ARG. I imagine, brother, that you are laughing at me. Can I study at my age? BER. Study! What need is there? You are clever enough for that; there are a great many who are not a bit more clever than you are. ARG. But one must be able to speak Latin well, and know the different diseases and the remedies they require. BER. When you put on the cap and gown of a doctor, all that will come of itself, and you will afterwards be much more clever than you care to be. ARG. What! We understand how to discourse upon diseases when we have that dress? BER. Yes; you have only to hold forth; when you have a cap and gown, any stuff becomes learned, and all rubbish good sense. TOI. Look you, Sir; a beard is something in itself; a beard is half the doctor. CLE. Anyhow, I am ready for everything. BER. (_to_ ARGAN). Shall we have the thing done immediately? ARG. How, immediately? BER. Yes, in your house. ARG. In my house? BER. Yes, I know a body of physicians, friends of mine, who will come presently, and will perform the ceremony in your hall. It will cost you nothing. ARG. But what can I say, what can I answer? BER. You will be instructed in a few words, and they will give you in writing all you have to say. Go and dress yourself directly, and I will send for them. ARG. Very well; let it be done. SCENE XXIII.—BÉRALDE, ANGÉLIQUE, CLÉANTE. CLE. What is it yon intend to do, and what do you mean by this body of physicians? TOI. What is it you are going to do? BER. To amuse ourselves a little to-night. The players have made a doctor’s admission the subject of an interlude, with dances and music. I want everyone to enjoy it, and my brother to act the principal part in it. ANG. But, uncle, it seems to me that you are making fun of my father. BER. But, niece, it is not making too much fun of him to fall in with his fancies. We may each of us take part in it ourselves, and thus perform the comedy for each other’s amusement. Carnival time authorises it. Let us go quickly and get everything ready. CLE. (_to_ ANGÉLIQUE). Do you consent to it? ANG. Yes; since my uncle takes the lead. THIRD INTERLUDE.[6][TN] BURLESQUE CEREMONY _representing the Admission of_ MR. GERONTE _to the Degree of Doctor of Medicine_. _First Entry of the_ BALLET.