SCENE VIII.--ÉLISE, VALÈRE. ELI. Surely, Valère, you are not in earnest when you speak to him in that manner? VAL. I do it that I may not vex him, and the better to secure my ends. To resist him boldly would simply spoil everything. There are certain people who are only to be managed by indirect means, temperaments averse from all resistance, restive natures whom truth causes to rear, who always kick when we would lead them on the right road of reason, and who can only be led by a way opposed to that by which you wish them to go. Pretend to comply with his wishes; you are much more likely to succeed in the end, and ... ELI. But this marriage, Valère? VAL. We will find some pretext for breaking it off. ELI. But what pretext can we find if it is to be concluded to-night? VAL. You must ask to have it delayed, and must feign some illness or other. ELI. But he will soon discover the truth if they call in the doctor. VAL. Not a bit of it. Do you imagine that a doctor understands what he is about? Nonsense! Don't be afraid. Believe me, you may complain of any disease you please, the doctor will be at no loss to explain to you from what it proceeds. SCENE IX--HARPAGON, ÉLISE, VALÈRE. HAR. (_alone, at the farther end of the stage_). It is nothing, thank heaven! VAL. (_not seeing_ HARPAGON). In short, flight is the last resource we have left us to avoid all this; and if your love, dear Élise, is as strong as ... (_Seeing_ HARPAGON) Yes, a daughter is bound to obey her father. She has no right to inquire what a husband offered to her is like, and when the most important question, "without dowry," presents itself, she should accept anybody that is given her. HAR. Good; that was beautifully said! VAL. I beg your pardon, Sir, if I carry it a little too far, and take upon myself to speak to her as I do. HAR. Why, I am delighted, and I wish you to have her entirely under your control. (_To_ ÉLISE) Yes, you may run away as much as you like. I give him all the authority over you that heaven has given me, and I will have you do all that he tells you. VAL. After that, resist all my expostulations, if you can. SCENE X.--HARPAGON, VALÈRE. VAL. I will follow her, Sir, if you will allow me, and will continue the lecture I was giving her. HAR. Yes, do so; you will oblige me greatly. VAL. She ought to be kept in with a tight hand. HAR. Quite true, you must.... VAL. Do not be afraid; I believe I shall end by convincing her. HAR. Do so, do so. I am going to take a short stroll in the town, and I will come back again presently.