The Imaginary Invalid Part 4

TOI. And I decidedly forbid her to do anything of the kind.

ARG. What have we come to? And what boldness is this for a scrub of a servant to speak in such a way before her master?

TOI. When a master does not consider what he is doing, a sensible servant should set him right.

ARG. (_running after_ TOINETTE). Ah, impudent girl, I will kill you!

TOI. (_avoiding_ ARGAN, _and putting the chair between her and him_). It is my duty to oppose what would be a dishonour to you.

ARG. (_running after_ TOINETTE _with his cane in his hand_).

Come here, come here, let me teach you how to speak.

TOI. (_running to the opposite side of the chair_). I interest myself in your affairs as I ought to do, and I don't wish to see you commit any folly.

ARG. (_as before_). Jade!

TOI. (_as before_). No, I will never consent to this marriage.

ARG. (_as before_). Worthless hussy!

TOI. (_as before_). I won't have her marry your Thomas Diafoirus.

ARG. (_as before_). Vixen!

TOI. (_as before_). She will obey me sooner than you.

ARG. (_stopping_). Angelique, won't you stop that jade for me?

ANG. Ah! father, don't make yourself ill.

ARG. (_to_ ANGeLIQUE). If you don't stop her, I will refuse you my blessing.

TOI. (_going away_). And I will disinherit her if she obeys you.

ARG. (_throwing himself into his chair_). Ah! I am done for. It is enough to kill me!

SCENE VI.--BeLINE, ARGAN.

ARG. Ah! come near, my wife.

BEL. What ails you, my poor, dear husband?

ARG. Come to my help.

BEL. What is the matter, my little darling child?

ARG. My love.

BEL. My love.

ARG. They have just put me in a rage.

BEL. Alas! my poor little husband! How was that, my own dear pet?

ARG. That jade of yours, Toinette, has grown more insolent than ever.

BEL. Don't excite yourself.

ARG. She has put me in a rage, my dove.

BEL. Gently, my child.

ARG. She has been thwarting me for the last hour about everything I want to do.

BEL. There, there; never mind.

ARG. And has had the impudence to say that I am not ill.

BEL. She is an impertinent hussy.

ARG. You know, my soul, what the truth is?

BEL. Yes, my darling, she is wrong.

ARG. My own dear, that jade will be the death of me.

BEL. Now, don't, don't.

ARG. She is the cause of all my bile.

BEL. Don't be so angry.

ARG. And I have asked you ever so many times to send her away.

BEL. Alas! my child, there is no servant without defects. We are obliged to put up at times with their bad qualities on account of their good ones. The girl is skilful, careful, diligent, and, above all, honest; and you know that in our days we must be very careful what people we take into our house. I say, Toinette.

SCENE VII.--ARGAN, BeLINE, TOINETTE.

TOI. Madam.

BEL. How is this? Why do you put my husband in a pa.s.sion?

TOI. (_in a soft tone_). I, Madam? Alas! I don't know what you mean, and my only aim is to please master in everything.

ARG. Ah! the deceitful girl!