SCENE III.——ARGAN, CLÉANTE, TOINETTE.

CLE.
Sir.

TOI.
(to Cléante). Do not speak so loud, for fear of splitting open the head of Mr. Argan.

CLE.
Sir, I am delighted to find you up, and to see you better.

TOI.
(affecting to be angry). How! better? It is false; master is always ill.

CLE.
I had heard that your master was better, and I think that he looks well in the face.

TOI.
What do you mean by his looking well in the face? He looks very bad, and it is only impertinent folks who say that he is better; he never was so ill in his life.

ARG.
She is right.

TOI.
He walks, sleeps, eats, and drinks, like other folks, but that does not hinder him from being very ill.
ARG.
Quite true.

CLE.
I am heartily sorry for it, Sir. I am sent by your daughter's music-master; he was obliged to go into the country for a few days, and as I am his intimate friend, he has asked me to come here in his place, to go on with the lessons, for fear that, if they were discontinued, she should forget what she has already learnt.

ARG.
Very well. (To Toinette) Call Angélique.

TOI.
I think, Sir, It would be better to take the gentleman to her room.

ARG.
No, make her come here.

TOI.
He cannot give her a good lesson if they are not left alone.

ARG.
Oh! yes, he can.

TOI.
Sir, it will stun you; and you should have nothing to disturb you in the state of health you are in.

ARG.
No, no; I like music, and I should be glad to…. Ah! here she is. (To Toinette) Go and see if my wife is dressed.