_Gian._ Nothing, sir. It is enough for me to know you did it. Your humble servant, sir.
_Gian._ With the marriage of Monsieur de la Cotterie.
_Phil._ Be cautious--mention it to no one.
_Gian._ Never fear; it will be known as soon as it is over. You will have the credit of contriving it, and I shall be most happy when it is done. [_Exit._
_Phil._ [_Alone._] I hope she will not imitate this bad example; but there is no danger. She is a good girl, and, like me, can distinguish between cases, and understands what is proper; and as I know how she has been brought up, under my own care, I have no apprehensions such a misfortune may befall me.
_Mar._ Excuse me for interrupting you again.
_Phil._ I suppose you have some new piece of nonsense?
_Mar._ I hope you will not again call me blockhead.
_Phil._ Not unless you utter more absurdities.
_Mar._ I have only to tell you I am just going to be married, and to bespeak your kindness.
_Phil._ Then you have determined to marry before your mistress?
_Mar._ No, sir; she is to be married to-day, and I shall be married to-morrow.
_Phil._ And you do not wish me to call you blockhead?
_Mar._ You still persist in concealing it from me?
_Mar._ Now, to show you I am not so foolish, I will own a fault I have committed, from curiosity. I stood behind the hangings, and heard Monsieur de la Cotterie talking with your daughter, and it is fixed on that they are to be married privately this evening, and you have given five hundred guineas on account of her portion.
_Phil._ On account of her portion! [_Laughing._]
_Mar._ Yes, I think on account of her portion; I saw the guineas with my own eyes.
_Phil._ Yes, you are foolish, more foolish, most foolish.
_Mar._ [_Aside._] He vexes me so I hardly know what to do.
_Phil._ The Lieutenant, however, has acted very improperly; he ought not to have mentioned it to my daughter, especially when there was danger of being overheard.
_Mar._ If you hide it from me for fear I shall make it public, you do wrong to my discretion.
_Phil._ Your discretion, indeed! you conceal yourself, listen to what people are talking about, misunderstand them, and then report such nonsense.
_Mar._ I was wrong to listen, I admit; but as to misunderstanding, I am sure I heard right.