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?
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.