TOI. That is very well, Sir, but, all the same, I advise you, between ourselves, to choose another husband for her; she is not of a make to become a Mrs. Diafoirus. ARG. But I will have it so. TOI. Fie! nonsense! Don’t speak like that. ARG. Don’t speak like that? Why not? TOI. Dear me, no, don’t. ARG. And why should I not speak like that? TOI. People will say that you don’t know what you are talking about. ARG. People will say all they like, but I tell you that I will have her make my promise good. TOI. I feel sure that she won’t. ARG. Then I will force her to do it. TOI. She will not do it, I tell you. ARG. She will, or I will shut her up in a convent. TOI. You? ARG. I. TOI. Good! ARG. How good? TOI. You will not shut her up in a convent. ARG. I shall not shut her up in a convent? TOI. No. ARG. No? TOI. No. ARG. Well, this is cool! I shall not put my daughter in a convent if I like! TOI. No, I tell you. ARG. And who will hinder me? TOI. You yourself. ARG. Myself? TOI. You will never have the heart to do it. ARG. I shall. TOI. You are joking. ARG. I am not joking. TOI. Fatherly love will hinder you. ARG. It will not hinder me. TOI. A little tear or two, her arms thrown round your neck, or “My darling little papa,” said very tenderly, will be enough to touch your heart. ARG. All that will be useless. TOI. Oh yes! ARG. I tell you that nothing will move me. TOI. Rubbish! ARG. You have no business to say “Rubbish.” TOI. I know you well enough; you are naturally kind-hearted. ARG. (_angrily_). I am not kind-hearted, and I am ill-natured when I like. TOI. Gently, Sir, you forget that you are ill. ARG. I command her to prepare herself to take the husband I have fixed upon. TOI. And I decidedly forbid her to do anything of the kind. ARG. What have we come to? And what boldness is this for a scrub of a servant to speak in such a way before her master? TOI. When a master does not consider what he is doing, a sensible servant should set him right. ARG. (_running after_ TOINETTE). Ah, impudent girl, I will kill you! TOI. (_avoiding_ ARGAN, _and putting the chair between her and him_). It is my duty to oppose what would be a dishonour to you. ARG. (_running after_ TOINETTE _with his cane in his hand_). Come here, come here, let me teach you how to speak. TOI. (_running to the opposite side of the chair_). I interest myself in your affairs as I ought to do, and I don’t wish to see you commit any folly. ARG. (_as before_). Jade! TOI. (_as before_). No, I will never consent to this marriage. ARG. (_as before_). Worthless hussy! TOI. (_as before_). I won’t have her marry your Thomas Diafoirus. ARG. (_as before_). Vixen! TOI. (_as before_). She will obey me sooner than you. ARG. (_stopping_). Angélique, won’t you stop that jade for me? ANG. Ah! father, don’t make yourself ill. ARG. (_to_ ANGÉLIQUE). If you don’t stop her, I will refuse you my blessing.