HAR. What! Is there anything more scandalous than this sumptuous attire with which you jaunt it about the town? I was remonstrating with your sister yesterday, but you are still worse. It cries vengeance to heaven; and were we to calculate all you are wearing, from head to foot, we should find enough for a good annuity. I have told you a hundred times, my son, that your manners displease me exceedingly; you affect the marquis terribly, and for you to be always dressed as you are, you must certainly rob me. CLE. Rob you? And how? HAR. How should I know? Where else could you find money enough to clothe yourself as you do? CLE. I, father? I play; and as I am very lucky, I spend in clothes all the money I win. HAR. It is very wrong. If you are lucky at play, you should profit by it, and place the money you win at decent interest, so that you may find it again some day. I should like to know, for instance, without mentioning the rest, what need there is for all these ribbons with which you are decked from head to foot, and if half a dozen tags are not sufficient to fasten your breeches. What necessity is there for anyone to spend money upon wigs, when we have hair of our own growth, which costs nothing. I will lay a wager that, in wigs and ribbons alone, there are certainly twenty pistoles spent, and twenty pistoles brings in at least eighteen livres six sous eight deniers per annum, at only eight per cent interest. CLE. You are quite right. HAR. Enough on this subject; let us talk of something else. (_Aside, noticing_ CLÉANTE _and_ ÉLISE, _who make signs to one another_) I believe they are making signs to one another to pick my pocket. (_Aloud_) What do you mean by those signs? ELI. We are hesitating as to who shall speak first, for we both have something to tell you. HAR. And I also have something to tell you both. CLE. We wanted to speak to you about marriage, father. HAR. The very thing I wish to speak to you about. ELI. Ah! my father! HAR. What is the meaning of that exclamation? Is it the word, daughter, or the thing itself that frightens you? CLE. Marriage may frighten us both according to the way you take it; and our feelings may perhaps not coincide with your choice. HAR. A little patience, if you please. You need not be alarmed. I know what is good for you both, and you will have no reason to complain of anything I intend to do. To begin at the beginning. (_To_ CLÉANTE) Do you know, tell me, a young person, called Marianne, who lives not far from here? CLE. Yes, father. HAR. And you? ELI. I have heard her spoken of. HAR. Well, my son, and how do you like the girl? CLE. She is very charming. HAR. Her face? CLE. Modest and intelligent. HAR. Her air and manner? CLE. Perfect, undoubtedly. HAR. Do you not think that such a girl well deserves to be thought of? CLE. Yes, father. HAR. She would form a very desirable match? CLE. Very desirable.