Scène XIII

When one is comfortable anywhere one is sorry to leave. What will become of me when you enter the train ? I intended to read you ail the stories, but how can I do it? For my part, I was not astonished, but she was. At my âge I should not go, if it were not for that. I am angry at him for coming at the same time as the letter. I ask your pardon from the bottom of my heart. We hâve passed considérable time together (near each other). It is for that reason that I tell you how sorry I am to go. As far as that is concerned, the method is as simple as possible. I conquered my anger at last, and pardoned my nephew.

Scènes XIV et XV Let your wife corne and embrace me. A foolish idea struck him because his uncle embraced him. What différence does it make if we leave like this? That is what is happening! Do not be afraid, my friend ; you are right. I saw clearly that he was amazed. Let us go away from hère, ail four of us. He answered my glance with a question,

Scène XVI I asked him for her hand, but he refused me. I am not your friend, but I am his friend. The best way to get yourself out of the difficulty is to show him the door. Well, why did you allow him to believe that you are my nièce, when you are not? He lost his head, and I noticed it. You hâve played a trick on me, and you must leave my house. You would hâve done better to ridicule him. He deserved to be beaten instead of being only scolded. I am not any the less wretched because of that. I said nothing to him ; I should not hâve been able to restrain myself .

Scène XVII He made signs to me to corne to the front of the stage. Ail things considered, I am not so much to blâme as she thinks. He falls back a step and then résumes his movement toward the door. I must admit that that causes me grief. I withdrew toward the door in spite of myself. I must tell you that you will not recover. I was very comfortable until you arrived. No matter how angry you are, I am going to bring about a reconciliation.

Scène I He is sleeping in his arm-chair while waiting for his friend. If the weather is fine I will read to you. She does not suspect that I hâve corne to pay court to her. My affianced noticed it three days ago. I shall ask for a vacation when you désire me to. He has just pronounced an adverb of singular length. Will you never finish? It is more than I can stand. The sentence before the last inclines me to believe that he has grown calm. I received an answer, and he received one too. I shall leave at once. Goodbye till I see you again.

Scènes II et III You must marry him this very day. Oh, yes, he's a good fellow, but that's too much. That makes three times that we've postponed

EXERCISES FOR RETRANSLATION 97

the marriage indefinitely. Who has written you a registered letter? It seems to be catching. I fear that he will not leave me alone. I fear that he will come to ask my hand again. He bores me, but it is necessary to open his letters. Some one knocks, and she has him come in.