BEL. Ah! what barbarism in the very midst of France! But yet, Sir, for learning's sake, allow us, instead of crowns, livres, and francs, to have the dowry expressed in minae and talents, and to express the date in Ides and Kalends. NOT. I, Madam? If I were to do such a thing, all my colleagues would hiss me. PHI. It is useless to complain of all this barbarism. Come, Sir, sit down and write. (_Seeing_ MARTINE) Ah! this impudent hussy dares to show herself here again! Why was she brought back, I should like to know? CHRY. We will tell you by-and-by; we have now something else to do. NOT. Let us proceed with the contract. Where is the future bride? PHI. It is the younger daughter I give in marriage. NOT. Good. CHRY. (_showing_ HENRIETTE). Yes, Sir, here she is; her name is Henriette. NOT. Very well; and the future bridegroom? PHI. (_showing_ TRISSOTIN). This gentleman is the husband I give her. CHRY. (_showing_ CLITANDRE). And the husband I wish her to marry is this gentleman. NOT. Two husbands! Custom does not allow of more than one. PHI. (_to the_ NOTARY). What is it that is stopping you? Put down Mr. Trissotin as my son-in-law. CHRY. For my son-in-law put down Mr. Clitandre. NOT. Try and agree together, and come to a quiet decision as to who is to be the future husband. PHI. Abide, Sir, abide by my own choice. CHRY. Do, Sir, do according to my will. NOT. Tell me which of the two I must obey. PHI. (_to_ CHRYSALE). What! you will go against my wishes. CHRY. I cannot allow my daughter to be sought after only because of the wealth which is in my family. PHI. Really! as if anyone here thought of your wealth, and as if it were a subject worthy the anxiety of a wise man. CHRY. In short, I have fixed on Clitandre. PHI. (_showing_ TRISSOTIN). And I am decided that for a husband she shall have this gentleman. My choice shall be followed; the thing is settled. CHRY. Heyday! you assume here a very high tone. MAR. 'Tisn't for the wife to lay down the law, and I be one to give up the lead to the men in everything. CHRY. That is well said. MAR. If my discharge was as sure as a gun, what I says is, that the hen hadn't ought to be heard when the cock's there. CHRY. Just so. MAR. And we all know that a man is always chaffed, when at home his wife wears the breeches. CHRY. It is perfectly true. MAR. I says that, if I had a husband, I would have him be the master of the house. I should not care a bit for him if he played the henpecked husband; and if I resisted him out of caprice, or if I spoke too loud, I should think it quite right if, with a couple of boxes on the ear, he made me pitch it lower. CHRY. You speak as you ought. MAR. Master is quite right to want a proper husband for his daughter. CHRY. Certainly.