Cle. Depend on my gratitude, Frosine, if you succeed. But, dear Marianne, let us begin, I beg of you, by gaining over your mother; it would be a great deal accomplished if this marriage were once broken off. Make use, I beseech you, of all the power that her tenderness for you gives you over her. Display without hesitation those eloquent graces, those all-powerful charms, with which Heaven has endowed your eyes and lips; forget not, I beseech you, those sweet persuasions, those tender entreaties, those loving caresses to which, I feel, nothing could be refused.
Mar. I will do all I can, and will forget nothing.
SCENE II.——HARPAGON, MARIANNE, ÉLISE, FROSINE.
Har. (aside, and without being seen). Ah! ah! my son is kissing the hand of his intended stepmother, and his intended stepmother does not seem much averse to it! Can there be any mystery in all this?
Eli. Here comes my father.
Har. The carriage is quite ready, and you can start when you like.
Cle. Since you are not going, father, allow me to take care of them.
Har. No, stop here; they can easily take care of themselves, and I want you.
SCENE III.——HARPAGON, CLÉANTE.
Har. Well, now, all consideration of stepmother aside, tell me what do you think of this lady?