SCENE II
ORGON, MARIANE, DORINE (coming in quietly and standing behind
Orgon, so that he does not see her)
ORGON
Well spoken. A good girl. Say then, my daughter,
That all his person shines with noble merit,
That he has won your heart, and you would like
To have him, by my choice, become your husband.
Eh?
MARIANE
Eh?
ORGON
What say you?
MARIANE
Please, what did you say?
ORGON
What?
MARIANE
Surely I mistook you, sir?
ORGON
How now?
MARIANE
Who is it, father, you would have me say
Has won my heart, and I would like to have
Become my husband, by your choice?
ORGON
Tartuffe.
MARIANE
But, father, I protest it isn't true!
Why should you make me tell this dreadful lie?
ORGON
Because I mean to have it be the truth.
Let this suffice for you: I've settled it.
MARIANE
What, father, you would . . . ?
ORGON
Yes, child, I'm resolved
To graft Tartuffe into my family.
So he must be your husband. That I've settled.
And since your duty . .
(Seeing Dorine)
What are you doing there?
Your curiosity is keen, my girl,
To make you come eavesdropping on us so.
DORINE
Upon my word, I don't know how the rumour
Got started — if 'twas guess-work or mere chance
But I had heard already of this match,
And treated it as utter stuff and nonsense.
ORGON
What! Is the thing incredible?
