l to-night. When shall I see you?

_Ant._ This night, if possible, there shall be more than one love-tale,
my Nina. [_Exit Nina._

[_Beppa, who has gradually advanced, boxes Antonio's ears._

_Bep._ "There shall be more than one love-tale, my Nina." And this hand
shall tell another tale (_striking again_), thou base villain!

_Ant._ (_escaping from her, rubbing his ears_). O Lord! for tail read
head. (_Aside._) This it is to have two wives. (_Aloud._) Why, Beppa,
are you mad? How can I help it?

_Bep._ How can you help it!

_Ant._ Yes, how can I help it? I must obey my orders.

_Bep._ Obey your orders!

_Ant._ Yes, obey my orders, or lose my place. My master, who is amusing
himself with a young lady, says to me, "Antonio, that servant girl hangs
about much in my way, you must make love to her."

_Bep._ Make love to her!

_Ant._ Yes, make love to her. "I'll be hanged if I do," says I, thinking
of my own sweet little Beppa. "Then you will be starved if you don't,"
said he. And as I found that he did not mean to be in earnest, I thought
that there could be no harm in a little by-play.

_Bep._ By-play!

_Ant._ Yes, by-play. Well, I refused long, for it went against my
conscience. Then he took this purse of ten moidores, and said, "Refuse
me, and quit my service. Consent, and take this purse; the money will
support your wife."

_Bep._ (_snatching the purse_). Now, am I to believe this?

_Ant._ Believe it! why, have you not the proofs? How should I possess
ten moidores? Money is not to be had for nothing now-a-days. I meant to
have told you all, but have not seen you since.

_Bep._ She called you Lopez?

_Ant._ She did. I would not give my name. No other shall call me "Dear
Antonio," excepting my own true lawful wife!

_Bep._ (_turning away with indifference, and putting the purse in her
pocket_). Well, allowing all this to be true, and that's of no great
importance, what a villain is your master, sir, to pay his court unto
another, when he vows fidelity to my mistress, Donna Serafina!

_Ant._ Upon my honour, I've enough to do to defend myself; though I must
confess that his conduct is infamous.

_Bep._ I'll to my mistress, and make known his treachery? [_Going._

_Ant._ Do no such thing! Bad news, though true, is never paid for; but
the purse opens when the tidings please, although they're false
as----(_points down below_). What's your message?

_Bep._ My mistress dies to see him.

_Ant._ Tell