_Gas._ He would willingly have brought her to you before now, but for the fear of your resentment.
_Phil._ Perfidious! I have to applaud him for his handsome action,--I have to be grateful for his treachery; he shuns the reproaches of an offended father,--he cannot bear to hear himself called traitor.
_Gas._ I understand; by your leave. [_Going._]
_Phil._ Tell him he must never dare to come in my presence; I do not wish to see him,--I do not desire it.
_Gas._ [_Aside._] I understand perfectly; nature never fails. [_Exit._
_Mar._ [_Aside._] Matters will soon be accommodated.
_Phil._ [_To himself._] My own injury! this is good!--to my own injury!
_Mar._ To turn your thoughts from this subject, sir, may I now speak to you concerning my own affairs?
_Phil._ I need nothing else to torment me but for you to talk of your marriage. I hate the very word, and never wish to hear it again while I live.
_Mar._ It seems, then, you want the world to come to an end.
_Mar._ My poor master! and where will your estate go--your riches?
_Mar._ You would die rich, and let your daughter live in want?
_Mar._ And would you carry this hatred in your bosom, and feel remorse at your death?
_Phil._ Be silent, devil! torture me no more.
_Cost._ Monsieur Philibert, you have made sport of me.
_Phil._ [_Aside._] This was wanting to complete all.
_Cost._ I have been waiting two hours, and no one has appeared.
_Phil._ [_Aside._] I know not what answer to make.
_Cost._ Did you not urge me to return to my aunt's, telling me the Lieutenant would be there?
_Mar._ My young lady, you shall hear how it was. The Lieutenant had to go to the aunt's,--and to the aunt's he went. There he was to have an understanding with Mademoiselle,--and he had an understanding with Mademoiselle. But the poor gentleman mistook the house: instead of going to Aunt Hortensia's he found himself at Aunt Gertrude's, and instead of marrying Mademoiselle Costanza, he has married Mademoiselle Giannina.
_Cost._ Can it be possible they have laughed at and deceived me in this manner? Speak, Monsieur Philibert; tell me truly what has been done, and do not suppose me patient enough to submit to such an injury.
_Phil._ Oh, if I submit to it, you must submit too.