Part 12

_Geltrude._ [_Aside._] I deceived myself. She loves the Baron, and I thought her attracted to Signor Evarist.

_Count._ If you will allow me, I will go and give this good news to the Baron, to my dear friend, my dear colleague.

_Geltrude._ And where is the Baron?

_Count._ He expects me at the apothecary's. Do as I beg. Go to the house, and I will conduct him to you at once.

_Geltrude._ What do you say, niece?

_Candida._ Yes, he can speak with you.

_Count._ And with you?

_Candida._ I will do whatever my aunt wishes.--[_Aside._] I shall die, but I shall die avenged.

_Count._ I go at once. Expect us, we will come to you. As the hour is so advanced, it would not be amiss if you invited him to dinner.

_Geltrude._ What! the first time!

_Count._ Oh, these are exaggerated considerations. He will gladly accept, I answer for him, and to induce him, I will stay too. [_Exit._

_Geltrude._ Let us go, then, and await them.

_Candida._ Yes, let us go.

_Geltrude._ What is the matter with you? Do you do it willingly?

_Candida._ Yes, willingly.--[_Aside._] I have given my word, it is irremediable.

_Geltrude._ [_Aside._] Poor child, I pity her. In these cases, notwithstanding one's love, one feels confused. [_Goes towards the villa._]

## SCENE IX.

Nina _on the terrace, and the above._

_Nina._ Oh, Signorina Candida!

_Candida._ [_Angrily._] What are you doing here?

_Nina._ I came to look for you.

_Candida._ Go away, and do not presume to set foot in our house again!

_Nina._ What! this affront to me?

_Candida._ What affront? You are an unworthy creature, and I cannot and will not tolerate you longer. [_Enters the villa._]

_Geltrude._ [_Aside._] This is a little too severe.

_Nina._ I am amazed, Signora Geltrude.

_Geltrude._ I am indeed sorry for the mortification you have had, but my niece is a person of good judgment, and if she has treated you ill, she must have her reasons.

_Nina._ What reasons can she have? I am astonished at her.

_Geltrude._ Come, come, do not forget your respect; do not raise your voice.

_Nina._ I will go and seek justification.

_Geltrude._ No, no, stay here. It is no good now, do it after.

_Nina._ And I tell you, I will go now!

_Geltrude._ Do not presume to pass this door. [_Places herself on the threshold._]

## SCENE X.

_The above._ Count _and_ Baron _going from the apothecary's to the villa._

_Count._ Come, come, let us go.

_Baron._ I must go.

_Geltrude._ [_To_ Nina.] Impudent lass! [_Goes in and throws to the door at the moment that the_ Count _and_ Baron _are about to enter. She does not see them._]

[Nina _goes away angered._ Count _remains speechless, looking at the closed door._]

_Baron._ What, they shut the door in our faces!

_Count._ In our faces? No, it is impossible!

_Baron._ Impossible, you say! But it is a fact.

_Nina._ This insult to me! [_Walks up and down trembling._]

_Count._ Let us go and knock.

_Nina._ [_Aside._] If they go in, I will get in too.

_Baron._ No, stay; I want to know no more. I do not wish to expose myself to fresh insults. You have served me but ill. They have laughed at you, and made fun of me on your account.

_Count._ [_Hotly._] What way of speaking is this?

_Baron._ And I demand satisfaction!

_Count._ From whom?

_Baron._ From you.

_Count._ In what manner?

_Baron._ Sword in hand!

_Count._ With the sword! But it's twenty years that I am in this village, and that I no longer use a sword.

_Baron._ With pistols, then. [_Draws two pistols from his pocket._]

_Nina._ [_Running towards the house._] Pistols! hi, folks, here! pistols! They are murdering each other.

## SCENE XI.

_The above._ Geltrude _on the terrace._

_Geltrude._ But, gentlemen, what is this?

_Count._ Why did you bolt the door in our faces?

_Geltrude._ I? Excuse me, I am incapable of such a vile action with whomsoever it should be; how little, then, with you and the Baron, who deigns to condescend to my niece!

_Count._ [_To the_ Baron.] You hear!

_Baron._ But, Madame, at the very moment we wanted to come to you, the door was closed in our faces.

_Geltrude._ I assure you I did not see you. I closed the door to hinder that saucy girl Nina from entering.

_Nina._ [_Puts her head, out of her own door._] What? saucy! saucy yourself!

_Count._ Quiet the impudent lass!

_Geltrude._ Will you enter, pray? I will give orders that the door be opened.

_Count._ [_To the_ Baron.] You hear?

_Baron._ I have nothing more to say.

_Count._ What will you do with these pistols?

_Baron._ Excuse my acute sense of honour. [_Puts away the pistols._]

_Count._ And you mean to present yourself to two ladies with two pistols in your pocket?

_Baron._ I always carry them in the country for self-defence.

_Count._ But if they knew you had these pistols,--you know what women are,--they would not come near you.

_Baron._ You are right. Thank you for warning me, and, as a sign of good friendship, allow me to present you with them. [_Draws one from his pocket and presents it._]

_Count._ [_Nervously._] A present to me?

_Baron._ Yes; surely you will not refuse it?

_Count._ I accept it because it comes from your hands. But they are not loaded?

_Baron._ What a question! Do you expect me to carry empty pistols?

_Count._ Wait! Ho there, cafe!

_Limonato._ [_From out his shop._] What would you, sir?

_Count._ Take these pistols and keep them till I ask you for them.

_Limonato._ At your service. [_Takes the pistols from the Baron._]

_Count._ Take care, they are loaded!

_Limonato._ [_Laughing._] Oh, I know how to manage them.

_Count._ Take care, no follies!

_Limonato._ [_Aside._] The Count is courageous, truly.

_Count._ I thank you, and shall value them.--[_Aside._] To-morrow I will sell them.

_Tognino._ [_From the villa._] Gentlemen, my mistress expects you.

_Count._ Let us go.

_Baron._ Yes, let us go.

_Count._ Well, what do you say? Am I a man of my word? Ah, dear colleague, we noblemen--our protection is worth something.

[Nina _comes out of her house softly, and goes behind them to enter._ Tognino _has let the_ Count _and_ Baron _pass, and remains on the threshold._ Nina _wants to enter._ Tognino _stops her._]

_Tognino._ You have nothing to do here.

_Nina._ Yes, but I have.

_Tognino._ My orders are not to let you pass. [_Goes in and shuts the door._]

_Nina._ I am furious!--I feel choking with rage! This insult to me--to a girl of my kind! [_Stamps with rage._]

## SCENE XII.

Evarist _from the street, his gun, on his shoulder, and_ Moracchio _with a gun in his hand and bag with game, and the dogs tied by a cord. The above._

_Evarist._ Here, take my gun, and keep those partridges till I dispose of them. [_Seats himself before the cafe._]

_Moracchio._ Never fear, I will take care of them.--[_To_ Nina.] Is dinner ready?

_Nina._ Quite ready.

_Moracchio._ What on earth is the matter? You are always angry with all the world, and then complain of me.

_Nina._ Oh, it's true, we are relations, there is no gainsaying it.

_Moracchio._ Come, let us go in and dine. It is time.

_Nina._ Yes, yes, go. I will come after.--[_Aside._] I want to speak to Signor Evarist.

_Moracchio._ Yes, come; if not, I shall eat all. [_Goes into the house._]

_Nina._ If I ate now, I should eat poison.

_Evarist._ [_Aside._] No one on the terrace! Doubtless they are at dinner. It is better I go to the inn, the Baron expects me. [_Rises._] Well, Nina, nothing new to tell me?

_Nina._ Oh yes, sir, I have something to tell you.

_Evarist._ Have you given my fan?

_Nina._ Here it is, your accursed fan!

_Evarist._ What does this mean? Could you not give it?

_Nina._ I have received a thousand insults, a thousand impertinences, and have been chased from the house like a good-for-nothing.

_Evarist._ Then Signora Geltrude noticed it?

_Nina._ Oh, not only Signora Geltrude. The greatest insults came from Signorina Candida.

_Evarist._ But why? What did you do to her?

_Nina._ I did nothing to her, sir.

_Evarist._ You told her you had a fan for her?

_Nina._ How could I tell her when she never gave me time, but sent me off like a thief?

_Evarist._ But there must be some reason.

_Nina._ For my part, I know I have done nothing to her. But all this ill-treatment, I am sure, I am certain, has been done to me because of you.

_Evarist._ Because of me? The Signorina Candida, who loves me so much!

_Nina._ Does the Signorina Candida love you so much?

_Evarist._ There is no doubt about it. I am sure of it.

_Nina._ Oh yes, I too can assure you that she loves you much, much, much.

_Evarist._ You put me into a terrible agitation.

_Nina._ [_Ironically._] Go, go and seek your lady-love, your dear one.

_Evarist._ And why should I not go?

_Nina._ Because the place is taken!

_Evarist._ [_Anxiously._] By whom?

_Nina._ By Baron del Cedro.

_Evarist._ The Baron is in the house?

_Nina._ Why should he not be in the house, seeing he is to marry the Signorina Candida?

_Evarist._ Nina, you dream--you are raving! you do nothing but talk absurdities!

_Nina._ You don't believe me? Well, go and see, and you will know if I speak the truth.

_Evarist._ In Signora Geltrude's house?

_Nina._ And in Signorina Candida's.

_Evarist._ The Baron!

_Nina._ Del Cedro.

_Evarist._ Marries Signorina Candida!

_Nina._ I have seen it with these eyes, and heard it with these ears.

_Evarist._ It cannot be! It is impossible! You talk nonsense.

_Nina._ Go, see for yourself. Listen, and you will soon learn if I talk nonsense.

_Evarist._ I will see at once! [_Runs to the villa and knocks._]

_Nina._ Poor fool, he trusts in the love of a city girl. The city girls are not as we are.

[Evarist _goes on knocking._ Tognino _opens and looks out of the door._]

_Evarist._ Well, what is it?

_Tognino._ Excuse me, I can let no one pass.

_Evarist._ Have you told them it is I?

_Tognino._ I have.

_Evarist._ To Signorina Candida?

_Tognino._ To Signorina Candida.

_Evarist._ And Signora Geltrude does not wish that I should come in?

_Tognino._ Yes, Signora Geltrude had said you might pass, but Signorina Candida did not wish it.

_Evarist._ Did not wish it? I swear to Heaven I will come in! [_Tries to push aside_ Tognino, _who bolts the door._]

_Nina._ Well, and what did I tell you?

_Evarist._ I am beside myself! I do not know in what world I am. To shut the door in my face!

_Nina._ Oh, do not be amazed! They treated me in the same beautiful way.

_Evarist._ How is it possible Candida could thus deceive me?

_Nina._ What is a fact cannot be doubted.

_Evarist._ I still do not believe it--I cannot believe it--I will never believe it!

_Nina._ You do not believe it?

_Evarist._ No; there must be some mistake, some mystery. I know Candida's heart. She is incapable of this!

_Nina._ All right. Console yourself that way, and enjoy your consolation. Much good may it do you!

_Evarist._ I absolutely must speak to Candida.

_Nina._ But since she won't receive you?

_Evarist._ It does not matter. There must be some other reason! I will go into the cafe. It will be enough for me to see her, to hear a word from her. A sign alone from her will suffice to assure me of life or to give me my death-blow.

_Nina._ Well, take it.

## SCENE XIII.

Coronato _and_ Scavezzo _return._ Scavezzo _goes straight to the inn._ Coronato _remains aside to listen. The above._

_Evarist._ What do you want to give me?

_Nina._ Why, your fan!

_Evarist._ Keep it. Don't torment me.

_Nina._ You give me this fan?

_Evarist._ Yes, yes, keep it, I give it you.--[_Aside._] I am beside myself!

_Nina._ If it is so, I thank you.

_Coronato._ [_Aside._] Ho, ho! now I know what the present was! A fan. [_Goes to the inn without being seen._]

_Evarist._ But if Candida won't let me see her--if by chance she does not look out of the window--if seeing me she refuses to listen to me--if her aunt forbids her! I am in a sea of confusion, of agitation.

[Crispino, _with a sack full of leather and shoes on his shoulder, goes towards his booth. Seeing the two, he stops to listen._]

_Nina._ Dear Signor Evarist, you make me sad; I am deeply grieved for you.

_Evarist._ Yes, my good girl, I deserve your pity.

_Nina._ So good, amiable, and polite a gentleman.

_Evarist._ You know my heart, you bear testimony to my love.

_Crispino._ [_Aside._] Nice things these! I see I came in time.

_Nina._ Indeed, if I knew how to comfort you--

_Crispino._ [_Aside._] Better and better!

_Evarist._ Well, at all costs I will try my luck. I will not have to reproach myself that I neglected to clear up the matter. I go to the cafe, Nina; I go and tremble. Retain to me your friendship and good-will. [_He takes her hand, and goes into the cafe._]

_Nina._ On the one hand he makes me laugh, on the other I am sorry for him.

[Crispino _puts down his sack, pulls out some shoes, puts them on the bench, and goes into his shop without speaking._]

_Nina._ Why, here is Crispino! Welcome back! Where have you been till now?

_Crispino._ Don't you see, to buy leather and to take shoes for mending.

_Nina._ But you do nothing but mend old shoes. I would not have people say--you know they are so ill-natured here--

_Crispino._ The evil tongues will find more to say about you than about me.

_Nina._ About me! What can they say?

_Crispino._ What do I care what they say--that I am more of a cobbler than a shoemaker? It is enough for me to be an honest man, and to earn my bread righteously. [_He sits down and works._]

_Nina._ But I don't want to be called the cobbleress.

_Crispino._ When?

_Nina._ When I shall be your wife.

_Crispino._ Eh?

_Nina._ Eh! What does this eh! mean? what does this eh! mean?

_Crispino._ It means that Signorina Nina will be neither cobbleress nor shoemakeress; she has aims most vast and grand.

_Nina._ Are you mad, or have you drunk this morning?

_Crispino._ I am not mad, I have not drunk, but I am neither blind nor deaf.

_Nina._ Then what the devil do you mean? Explain yourself if you would have me understand you.

_Crispino._ I am to explain myself! You would have me explain myself? Do you think I have not heard your fine words with Signor Evarist?

_Nina._ With Signor Evarist?

_Crispino._ [_Imitating_ Evarist.] Yes, my good girl, you know my heart; you bear testimony to my love.

_Nina._ [_Laughing._] You silly fellow!

_Crispino._ [_Imitating_ Nina.] Indeed, if I knew how to comfort you--

_Nina._ [_Laughing._] Silly fellow, I say!

_Crispino._ [_Imitating_ Evarist.] Nina, retain to me your friendship and good-will.

_Nina._ [_Laughing yet more._] Sillier than ever!

_Crispino._ I?

_Nina._ Yes, absurd; madly absurd!

_Crispino._ But, by Jove, did I not see, did I not hear your beautiful conversation with Signor Evarist?

_Nina._ Silly boy, I tell you!

_Crispino._ And what you replied.

_Nina._ Silly boy!

_Crispino._ Nina, have done with this "silly," or I shall go silly in very deed. [_Threatens her._]

_Nina._ Eh! eh! [_Becomes serious, and changes her tune._] But do you really think Signor Evarist loves me?

_Crispino._ I know nothing about it.

_Nina._ Come here. Listen. [_Speaks rapidly._] Signor Evarist loves Signorina Candida; and Signorina Candida has planted him, and wants to marry the Baron. And Signor Evarist is desperate, and came to pour out his heart to me; and I pretended to be sympathetic to make fun of him, and he let himself be comforted that way. Do you understand now?

_Crispino._ Not a word.

_Nina._ Are you persuaded of my innocence?

_Crispino._ Not entirely.

_Nina._ Then, if things are thus, go to the devil with you! Coronato desires me, seeks me; my brother has promised me to him. The Count, who respects me, implores--I shall marry Coronato.

_Crispino._ Come, come, don't be so angry instantly. Can you assure me you speak the truth--that there is nothing between you and Signor Evarist?

_Nina._ And you do not wish me to call you silly! But, my own good Crispino, whom I love so much, my dear betrothed! [_She caresses him._]

_Crispino._ [_Gently._] And what did Signor Evarist give you?

_Nina._ Nothing.

_Crispino._ Nothing? nothing? nothing?

_Nina._ When I tell you nothing, nothing--[_Aside._] I do not want him to know about the fan, or he will suspect me again.

_Crispino._ Can I be sure?

_Nina._ Come, come, you tease me.

_Crispino._ You love me?

_Nina._ Yes, I love you.

_Crispino._ Well, then, let us make peace. [_He takes her hand._]

_Nina._ [_Laughing._] Silly fellow.

_Crispino._ [_Laughing._] But why silly?

_Nina._ Because you are.

## SCENE XIV.

Coronato, _who comes out of the inn. The above._

_Coronato._ At last I know what present Signorina Nina has had.

_Nina._ What business is that of yours?

_Crispino._ [_To_ Coronato.] From whom has she had a present?

_Coronato._ From Signor Evarist.

_Nina._ It is not true.

_Crispino._ It is not true?

_Coronato._ But it is, and I know, too, what it is.

_Nina._ Well, be it what it be, it does not concern you. I love Crispino, and shall be the wife of my Crispino.

_Crispino._ [_To_ Coronato.] Well, what is the present?

_Coronato._ A fan.

_Crispino._ [_Angrily to_ Nina.] A fan?

_Nina._ [_Aside._] Confound that fellow!

_Crispino._ [_To_ Nina.] Did you receive a fan?

_Nina._ It is not true.

_Coronato._ It is so true, that you have it in your pocket.

_Crispino._ I wish to see that fan.

_Nina._ No, no!

_Coronato._ I will find the means to make her show it.

_Nina._ You are an interfering fellow.

## SCENE XV.

Moracchio _from out the house, a table napkin in his hand, eating._

_Moracchio._ What's all this noise about?

_Coronato._ Your sister has had a fan given her, it is in her pocket, and she denies it.

_Moracchio._ [_Sternly._] Give me that fan.

_Nina._ Leave me alone.

_Moracchio._ Give me that fan, or, I swear by Heaven--[_Threatens her._]

_Nina._ Confound you all! Here it is.

_Crispino._ [_Wants to take it._] I want it.

_Coronato._ No; I.

_Nina._ Leave me alone, I say!

_Moracchio._ Quick, give it here. I want it.

_Nina._ No; rather than to you or Coronato, I will give it to Crispino.

_Moracchio._ Give it to me, I say!

_Nina._ To Crispino! [_Gives the fan to_ Crispino, _and runs into the house._]

_Coronato._ Give it here.

_Moracchio._ Give it here.

_Crispino._ You shall not have it.

[_Both fall on_ Crispino _to yet it from him. He escapes from the scene, they follow him._]

## SCENE XVI.

_The_ Count _on the terrace._ Timoteo _outside his shop._

_Count._ Hi! Signor Timoteo!

_Timoteo._ What do you command?

_Count._ Quick, quick, bring spirits and cordials! Signorina Candida has fainted!

_Timoteo._ Instantly. [_Returns into the shop._]

_Count._ What was she looking at? One would think some poisonous plants grew in the garden of the cafe. [_Exit._

[Crispino _crosses the stage, running._ Coronato _and_ Moracchio _run after him, and all three disappear._]

_Baron._ [_From the villa to the apothecary._] Quick, quick, Signor Timoteo!

_Timoteo._ [_Advancing with various phials and cups._] Here I am.

_Baron._ Quick, quick!

_Timoteo._ All right, all right. [_Goes up to the door._]

[Crispino, Coronato, Moracchio, _from outside the scene, run furiously across the stage, knock against_ Timoteo, _throw him down, breaking all his bottles._ Crispino _falls over him and loses hold of the fan._ Coronato _snatches it up and runs off._ Timoteo _gets up and returns to his shop._]

_Coronato._ [_To_ Moracchio.] Here it is, here it is! I have got it! [_Exit._

END OF THE SECOND ACT.

## ACT III.

## SCENE I.

_Crispino_ comes out of his shop, with bread, cheese, and a bottle of wine, seats himself on the bench, and breakfasts. _Tognino_ comes out of _Geltrude's_ villa with a broom, and crosses to the pharmacy. _Coronato_ and _Scavezzo_ come out of the inn; the latter carries a barrel on his shoulders; the former passes _Crispino_, looks at him and laughs. Then both go off. _Crispino_ looks after him and clenches his fist. _Tognino_, issuing from the pharmacy, sweeps the square. _Timoteo_ with glasses and bottles hurries across to the villa. _Crispino_ has emptied his wine-bottle, and goes into the inn. _Susanna_ comes out of her shop, seats herself to do some needlework. _Tognino_ off into the villa. _Crispino_ comes back, his bottle refilled. He draws the fan from his pocket, looks at it smiling, and seats himself again. _Nina_ also seats herself outside her door to spin. _Crispino_ hides the fan under his leather apron, and goes on eating. _Coronato_ comes back, passes _Crispino_, and smiles. _Crispino_ smiles also. _Coronato_, arrived at his own door, turns round once more to look at _Crispino_ and smile, then enters. _Crispino_ laughs too, takes up the fan, looks at it with pleasure, and then hides it again.

Count _and_ Baron _coming out of_ Gertrude's _villa._

_Count._ No excuse! my friend, that should not vex you.

_Baron._ I assure you it can't please me either.

_Count._ If Signorina Candida felt ill, that was an accident; you must excuse. You know women are subject to vapours and nervous attacks.

_Baron._ But when we went in she was not ill, and scarcely did she see me than she retired to her room.

_Count._ Because she felt it coming on.

_Baron._ And then, did you notice Signora Geltrude when she came out of her niece's room, with what attention, what interest she read some papers that seemed letters.

_Count._ She is a woman who has much business on her hands, and a large correspondence. Doubtless they were letters just arrived.

_Baron._ No; they were old papers. I bet anything they were something she had found either on the table or on the person of Signorina Candida.

_Count._ Dear friend, your suspicions are strange! Your imagination runs away with you!

_Baron._ I imagine that which doubtless is the case. I suspect that an understanding exists between Signorina Candida and Evarist.

_Count._ Impossible! Were it so, I should know it. I know everything! There is nothing done in the village that I do not know! And further, were it as you think, do you suppose Signorina Candida would ever have accepted your proposal? How can you suppose she would thus compromise the mediation of a nobleman of my standing?

_Baron._ Oh, for that a good reason can be found. She was forced to say "Yes;" but Signora Geltrude was not as amiable to me after reading those letters; indeed, she seemed to me to show pleasure that we should go.

_Count._ Well, I think that all we have to complain of against Signora Geltrude is, that she did not ask us to stay to dinner with her.

_Baron._ To that I am indifferent.

_Count._ I gave her some hints, but she pretended not to understand.

_Baron._ I assure you she was most anxious we should leave.

_Count._ I am sorry for you. Where will you dine to-day?

_Baron._ I told the host to prepare dinner for two.

_Count._ For two?

_Baron._ I expect Evarist, who has gone shooting.

_Count._ If you will come and dine with me--

_Baron._ With you?

_Count._ But my dinner is half a mile from here.

_Baron._ Thank you, but the dinner is already ordered. Hi there, Coronato!

## SCENE II.

Coronato _from out the inn. The above._

_Coronato._ You called me?

_Baron._ Has Signor Evarist returned?