_Phil._ Good! Before talking of her marriage, the husband must be found.

_Mar._ Why, is there not a husband?

_Phil._ A husband! not that I know of.

_Mar._ You do not know?

_Phil._ Poor me! I know nothing of it. Tell me what you know, and do not
hide the truth.

_Mar._ You astonish me! Is she not to marry Monsieur de la Cotterie? Did
you not tell me so yourself, and that you were pleased at it?

_Phil._ Blockhead! Did you suppose I would give my daughter to a
soldier--the younger son of a poor family? to one who has not the means
of supporting her in the way she has been accustomed to from her birth?

_Mar._ Did you not say just now that Monsieur de la Cotterie was about
to be married, and that you were most anxious for his happiness?

_Phil._ To be sure I did.

_Mar._ And, pray, who is he to marry, if not Mademoiselle Giannina?

_Phil._ Blockhead! Are there no girls at the Hague but her?

_Mar._ He visits at no other house.

_Phil._ And does nobody come here?

_Mar._ I do not perceive that he pays attention to any one but my young
mistress.

_Phil._ Blockhead! Don't you know Mademoiselle Costanza?

_Mar._ A blockhead cannot know everything.

_Phil._ Has my daughter made you her confidant?

_Mar._ She always speaks of the officer with the greatest esteem, and
expresses much pity for him.

_Phil._ And did you believe her pity proceeded from love?

_Mar._ I did.

_Phil._ Blockhead!

_Mar._ I know, too, he wanted to go away, because he was in despair--

_Phil._ Well?

_Mar._ Fearing her father would not give his consent.

_Phil._ Excellent!

_Mar._ And are you not that father?

_Phil._ Are there no other fathers?

_Mar._ You gave me to understand they were to be married.

_Phil._ How absurd is your obstinacy!

_Mar._ I will venture my head I am right.

_Phil._ You should understand your mistress better, and respect her more
than to think so.

_Mar._ Indeed, it is an honourable love.

_Phil._ Begone directly!

_Mar._ I see no great harm in it.

_Phil._ Here comes some one--Monsieur Riccardo. Go quickly.

_Mar._ You are too rough, sir.

_Phil._ Blockhead!

_Mar._ We shall see who is the blockhead, I or--

_Phil._ You or I the blockhead?

_Mar._ I--or that man passing along the street. [_Exit._

_Phil._ Impertinent! whether she gets married or not, she shall stay no
longer in my house. To have such an opinion of my daughter! Giannina is
not capable of it; no, not