SCENE V.

_Enter_ BABOLIN.

So, so! In spite of my express wishes he meets my daughter. Comes like a thief to the window under cover of night. I shall show them what I am. [_Calls Toinon; Toinon enters._] Where are my rights as a father? where are they? It is Mr. Paul who mocks me! [_As if struck with an idea, he pauses._] What if I said nothing about my mischances? If I acted the clement loving father. Paul loves my daughter. My daughter loves Paul. If, like the really kind-hearted man that I am, I yield to their wishes? That would do me honour, and make me appear before the world a model of virtue and forbearance. [_Approaching his daughter._] Say, my little Toinon, does it grieve you very much not to wed your Paul? [_Toinon, whose heart is too full for speech, bursts into tears._] Toinon, if instead of going to the lawyer we go to the notary?

_Toinon._ [_Smiling like the sun through a rain-cloud._] To the notary, my father? {106}

_Babolin._ Yes, my darling, that he may hasten to draw up your marriage contract.

_Toinon._ With whom, my dear papa?

_Babolin._ With Paul.

_Toinon._ [_Throwing her arms round his neck._] O my dear father! how good! how kind of you! I dared not speak openly to you for fear of giving you pain; yet without Paul I should have died.

_Babolin._ Confound it! No. You must not dream of dying. Come to the notary.