he aunt's,--and to the aunt's he went. There he was to have an
understanding with Mademoiselle,--and he had an understanding with
Mademoiselle. But the poor gentleman mistook the house: instead of going
to Aunt Hortensia's he found himself at Aunt Gertrude's, and instead of
marrying Mademoiselle Costanza, he has married Mademoiselle Giannina.

_Cost._ Can it be possible they have laughed at and deceived me in this
manner? Speak, Monsieur Philibert; tell me truly what has been done, and
do not suppose me patient enough to submit to such an injury.

_Phil._ Oh, if I submit to it, you must submit too.

_Cost._ And what have you to submit to?

_Phil._ On your account I have been accessory to the ruin of my
daughter.

_Cost._ On my account?

_Phil._ Yes; the machine I contrived for you has fallen on my own head.

_Mar._ Fortunately my master's skull is reasonably thick.

_Cost._ I understand nothing of all this.

_Phil._ I will tell you plainly and distinctly the whole affair. Know
then--

_Enter_ Monsieur Riccardo.

_Ric._ [_To Costanza._] What are you doing here?

_Phil._ [_To himself._] Another torment!

_Cost._ Sir, you have never forbidden my coming here.

_Ric._ Well, now I forbid it. I know what you have come for; I know your
love for the foreigner, and your schemes against my authority and your
own honour.

_Phil._ [_To_ Riccardo, _with asperity._] You know nothing. If you knew
as much as I do, you would not speak so.

_Ric._ I speak so in consequence of what you told me this morning, and
no light matter it is; enough to make me forbid my daughter's coming to
your house.

_Mar._ Are you afraid they will marry her against your wishes?

_Ric._ I may well fear it.

_Mar._ Listen to me: if she does not marry my master, there is nobody
else here for her to marry.

_Ric._ Where is the Frenchman--the officer?

_Mar._ Shall I tell him, sir?

_Phil._ Ah! he will hear it soon enough.

_Mar._ Know, then, the officer has presumed to marry my young mistress.

_Ric._ Ah! [_With surprise._]

_Phil._ Oh! [_With vexation._]

_Cost._ This is the wrong I apprehended. Ah, my father, resent the
insult they have offered to me! They have made use of me to accomplish
their designs; they have flattered me to expose me to ridicule; and the
injury I have received is an insult to our family.

_Ric._ Yes, I will resent the insult they have offered to me. You I will
send to a convent; and Monsieur Philibert make