sta. The latter however has been
beforehand with him, and easily persuades Norina to play the part of
his (Malatesta's) sister, and to endeavour, by the beauty of her person
and the modesty of her demeanour, to gain the old man's affections.
Should she succeed in doing so, Don Pasquale and Norina are to go
through a mock form of marriage,--a notary, in the person of a cousin
named Carlo has already been gained for the purpose,--after which
Norina, by her obstinacy, extravagance, capriciousness and coquetry is
to make the old man repent of his infatuation and ready to comply with
their wishes.

Urged on by her love for Ernesto, Norina consents to play the part
assigned to her and the charming simplicity of her manners, her modesty
and loveliness so captivate the old man, that he falls into the trap
and makes her an offer of his {61} hand. The marriage takes place, and
one witness failing to appear, Ernesto, who happens to be near, and who
is aware of the plot, is requested to take his place.--Besides
appointing Norina heiress of half his wealth, Don Pasquale at once
makes her absolute mistress of his fortune. Having succeeded in
attaining her aim, Norina throws aside her mask, and by her
self-willedness, prodigality and waywardness drives her would-be
husband to despair. She squanders his money, visits the theatre on the
very day of their marriage ignoring the presence of her husband in such
a manner, that he wishes himself in his grave, or rid of the termagant,
who has destroyed the peace of his life.--The climax is reached on his
discovery among the accounts, all giving proof of his wife's reckless
extravagance, a billet-doux, pleading for a clandestine meeting in his
own garden. Malatesta is summoned and cannot help feeling remorse on
beholding the wan and haggard appearance of his friend. He recommends
prudence, advises Don Pasquale to assist, himself unseen, at the
proposed interview, and then to drive the guilty wife from the house.
The jealous husband, though frankly confessing the folly he had
committed in taking so young a wife, at first refuses to listen to
Malatesta's counsel, and determines to surprise the lovers and have
them brought before the judge. Finally however he suffers himself to
be dissuaded and leaves the matter in Malatesta's hands.--

In the last scene the lovers meet, but Ernesto escapes on his uncle's
approach, who is sorely {62} disappointed at having to listen to the
bitter reproach