The first gave
me birth; but you have chosen me. He received me by necessity, but you
have accepted me by choice. What I have from him is of the body,
corporal; what I hold from you is of the will, voluntary; and in so
much the more as the mental faculties are above the corporal, in so
much the more do I hold precious this future affiliation, for which I
come beforehand to-day to render you my most humble and most
respectful homage.
TOI. Long life to the colleges which send such clever people into the
world!
T. DIA. (_to_ MR. DIAFOIRUS). Has this been said to your
satisfaction, father?
MR. DIA. _Optime_.
ARG. (_to_ ANGELIQUE). Come, bow to this gentleman.
T DIA. (_to_ MR. DIAFOIRUS). Shall I kiss?
MR. DIA. Yes, yes.
T. DIA. (_to_ ANGELIQUE). Madam, it is with justice that heaven
has given you the name of stepmother, since we see in you steps
towards the perfect beauty which....[Footnote: Thomas Diafoirus is
evidently going to base some compliment on the _belle-mere_. The
only way out of the difficulty in English seems to be to complete the
sentence somewhat.]
ARG. (_to_ THOMAS DIAFOIRUS). It is not to my wife, but to my
daughter, that you are speaking.
T. DIA. Where is she?
ARG. She will soon come.
T. DIA. Shall I wait, father, till she comes?
MR. DIA. No; go through your compliments to the young lady in the
meantime.
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