Ang. (Aside.) What have I to do with Sig...

Ang. (Aside.) What have I to do with Signor Dorval? I can go away.

Dor. Mademoiselle Angelica!

Ang. Sir?

Dor. Have you seen your uncle? Has he told you nothing?

Ang. I saw him this morning, sir.

Dor. Before he went out of the house?

Ang. Yes, sir.

Dor. Has he returned?

Ang. No, sir.

Dor. (Aside.) Good. She knows nothing of it.

Ang. Excuse me, sir. Is there anything new in which I am concerned?

Dor. Your uncle takes much interest in you.

Ang. (With modesty.) He is very kind.

Dor. (Seriously.) He thinks often of you.

Ang. It is fortunate for me.

Dor. He thinks of marrying you. (Angelica appears modest.) What say you to it? Would you like to be married?

Ang. I depend on my uncle.

Dor. Shall I say anything more to you on the subject?

Ang. (With a little curiosity.) But—as you please, sir.

Dor. The choice of a husband is already made.

Ang. (Aside.) Oh, heavens! I tremble.

Dor. (Aside.) She seems to be pleased.

Ang. (Trembling.) Sir, I am curious to know—

Dor. What, Mademoiselle?

Ang. Do you know who is intended for me?

Dor. Yes, and you know him too.

Ang. (With joy.) I know him too?

Dor. Certainly, you know him.

Ang. May I, sir, have the boldness—

Dor. Speak, Mademoiselle.

Ang. To ask you the name of the young man?

Dor. The name of the young man?

Ang. Yes, if you know him.

Dor. Suppose he were not so young?

Ang. (Aside, with agitation.) Good Heavens!

Dor. You are sensible—you depend on your uncle—

Ang. (Trembling.) Do you think, sir, my uncle would sacrifice me?

Dor. What do you mean by sacrificing you?

Ang. Mean—without the consent of my heart. My uncle is so good—But who could have advised him—who could have proposed this match? (With temper.)

Dor. (A little hurt.) But this match—Mademoiselle—Suppose it were I?

Ang. (With joy.) You, sir? Heaven grant it!

Dor. (Pleased.) Heaven grant it?

Ang. Yes, I know you; I know you are reasonable. You are sensible; I can trust you. If you have given my uncle this advice, if you have proposed this match, I hope you will now find some means of making him change his plan.

Dor. (Aside.) Eh! this is not so bad.—(To Angelica.) Mademoiselle—

Ang. (Distressed.) Signor?

Dor. (With feeling.) Is your heart engaged?

Ang. Ah, sir—

Dor. I understand you.

Ang. Have pity on me!

Dor. (Aside.) I said so, I foresaw right; it is fortunate for me I am not in love—yet I began to perceive some little symptoms of it.

Ang. But you do not tell me, sir.

Dor. But, Mademoiselle—

Ang. You have perhaps some particular interest in the person they wish me to marry?

Dor. A little.

Ang. (With temper and firmness.) I tell you I shall hate him.

Dor. (Aside.) Poor girl! I am pleased with her sincerity.

Ang. Come, have compassion; be generous.

Dor. Yes, I will be so, I promise you; I will speak to your uncle in your favour, and will do all I can to make you happy.

Ang. (With joy and transport.) Oh, how dear a man you are! You are my benefactor, my father. (Takes his hand.)

Dor. My dear girl!

(Enter Geronte.)

Ger. (In his hot-tempered manner, with animation.) Excellent, excellent! Courage, my children, I am delighted with you. (Angelica retires, mortified; Dorval smiles.) How! does my presence alarm you? I do not condemn this proper show of affection. You have done well, Dorval, to inform her. Come, my niece, embrace your future husband.

Ang. (In consternation.) What do I hear?

Dor. (Aside and smiling.) Now I am unmasked.

Ger. (To Angelica, with warmth.) What scene is this? Your modesty is misplaced. When I am not present, you are near enough to each other; when I come in, you go far apart. Come here.—(To Dorval, with anger.) And do you too come here.

Dor. (Laughing.) Softly, my friend.

Ger. Why do you laugh? Do you feel your happiness? I am very willing you should laugh, but do not put me in a passion; do you hear, you laughing gentleman? Come here and listen to me.

Dor. But listen yourself.

Ger. (To Angelica, and endeavoring to take her hand.) Come near, both of you.

Ang. (Weeping.) My uncle!

Ger. Weeping! What's the matter, my child? I believe you are making a jest of me. (Takes her hand, and carries her by force to the middle of the stage; then turns to Dorval, and says to him, with an appearance of heat) You shall escape me no more.

Dor. At least let me speak.

Ger. No, no!

Ang. My dear uncle—

Ger. (With warmth.) No, no. (He changes his tone and becomes serious.) I have been to my notary's, and have arranged everything; he has taken a note of it in my presence, and will soon bring the contract here for us to subscribe.

Dor. But will you listen to me?

Ger. No, no. As to her fortune, my brother had the weakness to leave it in the hands of his son; this will no doubt cause some obstacle on his part, but it will not embarrass me. Every one who has transactions with him suffers. The fortune cannot be lost, and in any event I will be responsible for it.

Ang. (Aside.) I can bear this no longer.

Dor. (Embarrassed.) All proceeds well, but—

Ger. But what?

Dor. The young lady may have something to say in this matter. (Looking at Angelica.)

Ang. (Hastily and trembling.) I, sir?

Ger. I should like to know if she can say anything against what I do, what I order, and what I wish. My wishes, my orders, and what I do, are all for her good. Do you understand me?

Dor. Then I must speak myself.

Ger. What have you to say?

Dor. That I am very sorry, but this marriage cannot take place.

Ger. Not take place! (Angelica retreats frightened; Dorval also steps back two paces.) (To Dorval.) You have given me your word of honour.

Dor. Yes, on condition—

Ger. (Turning to Angelica.) It must then be this impertinent. If I could believe it! if I had any reason to suspect it! (Threatens her.)

Dor. (Seriously.) No, sir, you are mistaken.

Ger. (To Dorval.) Angelica seizes the opportunity and makes her escape.) It is you, then, who refuse? So you abuse my friendship and affection for you!

Dor. (Raising his voice.) But hear reason—

Ger. What reason? what reason? There is no reason. I am a man of honour, and if you are so too, it shall be done at once. (Turning round, he calls) Angelica!

Dor. What possesses the man? He will resort to violence on the spot. (Runs off.)

Citation: Carlo Goldoni, The Beneficent Bear, Public domain, 1771.

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