HEN. Truly, Sir, I am delighted to hear you; and I had no idea that philosophy was so capable of teaching men to bear such accidents with constancy. This wonderful strength of mind deserves to have a fit subject to illustrate it, and to find one who may take pleasure in giving it an occasion for its full display. As, however, to say the truth, I do not feel equal to the task, I will leave it to another; and, between ourselves, I assure you that I renounce altogether the happiness of seeing you my husband. TRI. (_going_). We shall see by-and-by how the affair will end. In the next room, close at hand, is the notary waiting. SCENE II.--CHRYSALE, CLITANDRE, HENRIETTE. CHRY. I am glad, my daughter, to see you; come here and fulfil your duty, by showing obedience to the will of your father. I will teach your mother how to behave, and, to defy her more fully, here is Martine, whom I have brought back to take her old place in the house again. HEN. Your resolution deserves praise. I beg of you, father, never to change the disposition you are in. Be firm in what you have resolved, and do not suffer yourself to be the dupe of your own good-nature. Do not yield; and I pray you to act so as to hinder my mother from having her own way. CHRY. How! Do you take me for a booby? HEN. Heaven forbid! CHRY. Am I a fool, pray? HEN. I do not say that. CHRY. Am I thought unfit to have the decision of a man of sense? HEN. No, father. CHRY. Ought I not at my age to know how to be master at home? HEN. Of course. CHRY. Do you think me weak enough to allow my wife to lead me by the nose? HEN. Oh dear, no, father. CHRY. Well, then, what do you mean? You are a nice girl to speak to me as you do! HEN. If I have displeased you, father, I have done so unintentionally. CHRY. My will is law in this place. HEN. Certainly, father. CHRY. No one but myself has in this house a right to command. HEN. Yes, you are right, father. CHRY. It is I who hold the place of chief of the family. HEN. Agreed. CHRY. It is I who ought to dispose of my daughter's hand. HEN. Yes, indeed, father. CHRY. Heaven has given me full power over you. HEN. No one, father, says anything to the contrary. CHRY. And as to choosing a husband, I will show you that it is your father, and not your mother, whom you have to obey. HEN. Alas! in that you respond to my dearest wish. Exact obedience to you is my earnest wish. CHRY. We shall see if my wife will prove rebellious to my will. CLI. Here she is, and she brings the notary with her. CHRY. Back me up, all of you. MAR. Leave that to me; I will take care to encourage you, if need be. SCENE III.--PHILAMINTE, BÉLISE, ARMANDE, TRISSOTIN, A NOTARY, CHRYSALE, CLITANDRE, HENRIETTE, MARTINE. PHI. (_to the_ NOTARY). Can you not alter your barbarous style, and give us a contract couched in noble language? NOT. Our style is very good, and I should be a blockhead, Madam, to try and change a single word.