_De la Cot._ To whom have you not mentioned it?
_De la Cot._ Oh, Heavens! and who is the father of the girl?
_Phil._ Good! You do not know him? you do not know the father of Mademoiselle Costanza, that horrid savage, Monsieur Riccardo, who has grown rich by usury, and has no idol but his money?
_De la Cot._ [_Aside._] I shall go mad! Thus end all my hopes.
_Phil._ Riccardo does not visit at my house, you never go out, so it is not surprising you do not know him.
_De la Cot._ [_Aside._] Ah! I am obliged to dissemble, not to disclose my love at a moment so unpropitious.
_Phil._ But how did you know the father would not give you his daughter if you did not know him?
_De la Cot._ I had reasons for thinking so, and for my despair there is no remedy.
_De la Cot._ All your attention will be unavailing.
_Phil._ Leave it to me; I will go immediately to find Monsieur Riccardo, and I flatter myself--
_Phil._ It seems the prospect of success turns your head; just now you were all joy. Whence arises this sudden change?
_De la Cot._ I am certain it will end unfortunately.
_Phil._ Such despondency is unworthy of you, and unjust to me.
_De la Cot._ Do not add to my unhappiness by your interference.
_Phil._ Are you afraid the father will be obstinate? let me try.
_De la Cot._ By no means; I am altogether opposed to it.
_Phil._ And I am altogether for it, and will speak to him.
_De la Cot._ I shall leave the Hague; I shall go in a few minutes.
_Phil._ You will not treat me with so much incivility.
_Gian._ What, sirs, is the cause of this altercation?
_Phil._ Monsieur de la Cotterie acts towards me with a degree of ingratitude that is anything but agreeable.
_Gian._ Is it possible he can be capable of this?
_De la Cot._ Ah, Mademoiselle, I am a most unfortunate man!
_Phil._ I may say he does not know his own mind. He confessed his passion, and, when I offered to assist him, fell into transports; and then, when I promised to obtain the hand of Mademoiselle Costanza for him, he got furious, and threatened to go away.
_Gian._ I am surprised the Lieutenant should still speak of leaving us.
_De la Cot._ Would you have me stay and entertain such hopes? [_Ironically._]
_Gian._ I would have you stay, and entertain a mistress who loves you. With my father's permission, you shall hear what Mademoiselle Costanza has just said of you.