SCA. I must extract this money from your respective fathers' pockets. (_To_ OCTAVE) As far as yours is concerned, my plan is all ready. (_To_ LÉANDRE) And as for yours, although he is the greatest miser imaginable, we shall find it easier still; for you know that he is not blessed with too much intellect, and I look upon him as a man who will believe anything. This cannot offend you; there is not a suspicion of a resemblance between him and you; and you know what the world thinks, that he is your father only in name. LEA. Gently, Scapin. SCA. Besides, what does it matter? But, Mr. Octave, I see your father coming. Let us begin by him, since he is the first to cross our path. Vanish both of you; (_to_ OCTAVE) and you, please, tell Silvestre to come quickly, and take his part in the affair. SCENE VIII.--ARGANTE, SCAPIN. SCA. (_aside_). Here he is, turning it over in his mind. ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). Such behaviour and such lack of consideration! To entangle himself in an engagement like that! Ah! rash youth. SCA. Your servant, Sir. ARG. Good morning, Scapin. SCA. You are thinking of your son's conduct. ARG. Yes, I acknowledge that it grieves me deeply. SCA. Ah! Sir, life is full of troubles; and we should always be prepared for them. I was told, a long time ago, the saying of an ancient philosopher which I have never forgotten. ARG. What was it? SCA. That if the father of a family has been away from home for ever so short a time, he ought to dwell upon all the sad news that may greet him on his return. He ought to fancy his house burnt down, his money stolen, his wife dead, his son married, his daughter ruined; and be very thankful for whatever falls short of all this. In my small way of philosophy, I have ever taken this lesson to heart; and I never come home but I expect to have to bear with the anger of my masters, their scoldings, insults, kicks, blows, and horse-whipping. And I always thank my destiny for whatever I do not receive. ARG. That's all very well; but this rash marriage is more than I can put up with, and it forces me to break off the match I had intended for my son. I have come from my solicitor's to see if we can cancel it. SCA. Well, Sir, if you will take my advice, you will look to some other way of settling this business. You know what a law-suit means in this country, and you'll find yourself in the midst of a strange bush of thorns. ARG. I am fully aware that you are quite right; but what else can I do? SCA. I think I have found something that will answer much better. The sorrow that I felt for you made me rummage in my head to find some means of getting you out of trouble; for I cannot bear to see kind fathers a prey to grief without feeling sad about it, and, besides, I have at all times had the greatest regard for you. ARG. I am much obliged to you.