SCA. That will do. Now, fancy that I am your father, just arrived; answer me boldly as if it were he himself.--"What! you scoundrel, you good-for-nothing fellow, you infamous rascal, unworthy son of such a father as I, dare you appear before me after what you have done, and after the infamous trick you have played me during my absence? Is this, you rascal, the reward of all my care? Is this the fruit of all my devotion? Is this the respect due to me? Is this the respect you retain for me?"--Now then, now then.--"You are insolent enough, scoundrel, to go and engage yourself without the consent of your father, and contract a clandestine marriage! Answer me, you villain! Answer me. Let me hear your fine reasons"....--Why, the deuce, you seem quite lost. OCT. It is because I imagine I hear my father speaking. SCA. Why, yes; and it is for this reason that you must try not to look like an idiot. OCT. I will be more resolute, and will answer more firmly. SCA. Quite sure? SIL. Here is your father coming. OCT. Oh heavens! I am lost. SCENE V.--SCAPIN, SILVESTRE. SCA. Stop, Octave; stop. He's off. What a poor specimen it is! Let's wait for the old man all the same. SIL. What shall I tell him? SCA. Leave him to me; only follow me. SCENE VI.--ARGANTE, SCAPIN, SILVESTRE (_at the further part of thestage_). ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). Did anyone ever hear of such an action? SCA. (_to_ SILVESTRE). He has already heard of the affair, and is so struck by it that, although alone, he speaks aloud about it. ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). Such a bold thing to do. SCA. (_to_ SILVESTRE). Let us listen to him. ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). I should like to know what they can say to me about this fine marriage. SCA. (_aside_). We have it all ready. ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). Will they try to deny it? SCA. (_aside_). No: we have no thought of doing so. ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). Or will they undertake to excuse it? SCA. (_aside_). That may be. ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). Do they intend to deceive me with impertinent stories? SCA. (_aside_). May be. ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). All they can say will be useless. SCA. We shall see. ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). They will not take me in. SCA. (_aside_). I don't know that. ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). I shall know how to put my rascal of a son in a safe place. SCA. (_aside_). We shall see about that. ARG. (_thinking himself alone_). And as for that rascal Silvestre, I will cudgel him soundly. SIL. (_to_ SCAPIN). I should have been very much astonished if he had forgotten me. ARG. (_seeing_ SILVESTRE). Ah, ah! here you are, most wise governor of a family, fine director of young people! SCA. Sir, I am delighted to see you back. ARG. Good morning, Scapin. (_To_ SILVESTRE) You have really followed my orders in a fine manner, and my son has behaved splendidly. SCA. You are quite well, I see.