wing anything about it!

_Mar._ You know your nephew's embarrassments.

_Ger._ I have nothing to do with my nephew's embarrassments, nor his
wife's follies. He has his own property; if he squanders it, if he ruins
himself, so much the worse for him. But as for my niece, I am the head
of the family, I am the master; it is for me to provide for her.

_Mar._ So much the better for her, sir, so much the better. I am glad to
see you get so warm in the dear girl's behalf.

_Ger._ Where is she?

_Mar._ She is near, sir. Wait a moment--

_Ger._ Let her come in.

_Mar._ Yes, she most earnestly desires to do so, but--

_Ger._ But what?

_Mar._ She is timid.

_Ger._ Well, what then?

_Mar._ If you speak to her--

_Ger._ I must speak to her.

_Mar._ Yes, but in this tone of voice--

_Ger._ The tone of my voice hurts nobody; let her come and rely on my
heart, not on my tone of voice.

_Mar._ That is true, sir. I know you; you are good, humane, charitable;
but I entreat you, do not frighten the poor girl; speak to her with a
little gentleness.

_Ger._ Yes, I will speak to her with gentleness.

_Mar._ You promise me?

_Ger._ I promise you.

_Mar._ Do not forget it.

_Ger._ [_Beginning to be impatient._] No.

_Mar._ Above all, do not get impatient.

_Ger._ [_Impatiently._] I tell you, no.

_Mar._ I tremble for Angelica. [_Exit._

Geronte, _alone_.

_Ger._ She is right; I sometimes suffer myself to be carried away by my
irritable temper. My niece deserves to be treated with tenderness.

_Enter_ Angelica.--_She remains at a distance._

_Ger._ Come near.

_Ang._ Sir? [_Timidly advancing one step._]

_Ger._ [_Warmly._] How can you expect me to hear you when you are three
miles off?

_Ang._ Excuse me, sir. [_She approaches him, trembling._]

_Ger._ What have you to say to me?

_Ang._ Has not Martuccia told you something?

_Ger._ [_At first gently, then by degrees he gets excited._] Yes, she
has spoken to me of you, of that insensate brother of yours, that
extravagant fellow, who suffers himself to be led by the nose by his
silly wife, who is ruined, utterly lost, and has no longer any respect
for me. [_Angelica moves as though to go away._] Where are you going?
[_Very impetuously._]

_Ang._ You are angry, sir.

_Ger._ Well, what is that to you? If I get angry at a blockhead, I am
not angry with you. Come near; speak; you must not be afraid of my
anger.

_Ang._ My dear uncle, I can't sp