SCENE XXI.——ARGAN, ANGÉLIQUE, CLÉANTE, TOINETTE.

CLE.
What is the matter with you, dear Angélique, and what misfortune makes you weep?

ANG.
Alas! I weep for what was most dear and most precious to me. I weep for the death of my father.

CLE.
O heaven! what a misfortune! What an unforeseen stroke of fortune! Alas! after I had asked your uncle to ask you in marriage, I was coming to see him, in order to try by my respect and entreaties to incline his heart to grant you to my wishes.

ANG.
Ah! Cléante, let us talk no more of this. Let us give up all hopes of marriage. Now my father is dead, I will have nothing to do with the world, and will renounce it for ever. Yes, my dear father, if I resisted your will, I will at least follow out one of your intentions, and will by that make amends for the sorrow I have caused you. (Kneeling.) Let me, father, make you this promise here, and kiss you as a proof of my repentance.

ARG.
(kissing Angélique). Ah! my daughter!

ANG.
Ah!

ARG.
Come; do not be afraid. I am not dead. Ah! you are my true flesh and blood and my real daughter; I am delighted to have discovered your good heart.