u do
wrong to my discretion.

_Phil._ Your discretion, indeed! you conceal yourself, listen to what
people are talking about, misunderstand them, and then report such
nonsense.

_Mar._ I was wrong to listen, I admit; but as to misunderstanding, I am
sure I heard right.

_Phil._ You will force me to say or do something not very pleasant.

_Mar._ Well, well! where did Mademoiselle Giannina go just now?

_Phil._ Where did she go?

_Mar._ Did she not go out with Monsieur de la Cotterie?

_Phil._ Where?

_Mar._ I heard they went to Madame Gertrude's.

_Phil._ To my sister's?

_Mar._ Yes, sir.

_Phil._ Giannina may have gone there, not the Lieutenant.

_Mar._ I know they went out together, sir.

_Phil._ The Lieutenant may have accompanied her; my sister's house is
near the place where he was to go; my daughter might choose to be at
hand to hear the news. I know all; everything goes on well, and I say
again you are a blockhead.

_Mar._ [_Aside._] This is too bad; I can scarcely keep my temper.

_Phil._ See who is in the hall--I hear some one.

_Mar._ [_Aside._] Oh, it will be excellent if a trick has been played on
the old gentleman! but it is impossible. [_Exit._

_Phil._ [_Alone._] Heaven grant it may end well! The imprudence of the
Lieutenant might have ruined the plot, but young persons are subject to
these indiscretions. I fortunately had sense enough when I was a young
man, and have more now I am old.

_Enter_ Gascoigne.

_Gas._ Your servant, Monsieur Philibert.

_Phil._ Good-day, my friend. What news have you?

_Gas._ My master sends his best compliments.

_Phil._ Where is the Lieutenant? What is he doing? How go his affairs?

_Gas._ I believe this note will give you full information.

_Phil._ Let us see. [_Opens it._]

_Gas._ [_Aside._] As he does not send me away, I will remain here.

_Phil._ [_To himself._] There is a paper enclosed, which seems to be
written by my daughter. Let us first know what my friend says.

_Gas._ [_Aside._] Marianna is listening behind the hangings; she is as
curious as I am.

_Phil._ [_Reading._] "Monsieur: Your advice has encouraged me to a step
which I should not have had the boldness to venture on, however urged
by the violence of my love." Yes, indeed, he wanted courage. "I have
carried Mademoiselle to a respectable and secure house, that is to say,
to her aunt's."

He must have met Costanza, and they have gone together. I did well to
send her