my dear uncle.

_Ger._ Don't disturb me now. [_Intent on the chessboard._]

_Ang._ One single word--

_Ger._ [_Impatiently._] Enough has been said.

_Ang._ [_Aside._] Oh, Heaven! I am more unhappy than ever. Ah, my dear
Martuccia will not abandon me! [_Exit._

Geronte, _alone_.

_Ger._ She is a good girl; I would willingly do all I can for her. If
she had any attachment, I would endeavour to please her, but she has
none. I will see, I will look about. But what in the world detains
Dorval? Is he never coming? I long to try that cursed combination again
that made me lose the last game. Certainly, I ought to have won it--he
did not beat me, I beat myself. I must have lost my senses. Let us
see a little. My pieces were placed so, and Dorval's so. I moved the
king to his castle's square; Dorval placed his bishop on his king's
second square. I--check--yes, I take the pawn--Dorval--he takes my
bishop,--Dorval--yes, he takes my bishop, and I--give check with my
knight. By Jove! Dorval loses his queen. He plays his king, and I take
his queen. Yes, the fellow, with his king, has taken my knight. But so
much the worse for him. Now he is in my nets; his king is fast. Here is
my queen; Yes, here she is. Checkmate. It is clear. Checkmate, and the
game is won. Ah! if Dorval would come, he should see it.--[_Calls._]
Piccardo!

_Enter_ Dalancourt.

_Dal._ [_Apart, and in much confusion._] My uncle is alone; if he will
listen to me!

_Ger._ I will place the pieces as they were at first. [_Not seeing_
Dalancourt, _he calls loudly._] Piccardo!

_Dal._ Sir--

_Ger._ [_Without turning, and supposing he is speaking to_ Piccardo.]
Well, have you found Dorval?

_Enter_ Dorval.

_Dor._ Here I am, my friend.

_Dal._ [_With resolution._] My uncle.

_Ger._ [_Turning, sees_ Dalancourt, _rises quickly, throws down the
chair, and goes out without speaking._]

SCENE II.--Dalancourt _and_ Dorval.

_Dor._ [_Laughing._] What is the meaning of this scene?

_Dal._ It is dreadful! All this because he has seen me.

_Dor._ [_In the same manner._] Geronte is my friend. I know his
disposition perfectly.

_Dal._ I am sorry on your account.

_Dor._ Indeed, I came at an unlucky time.

_Dal._ Excuse his violence.

_Dor._ [_Smiling._] Oh, I'll scold him; I'll scold him.

_Dal._ Ah, my friend, you are the only person who can do anything for me
with him.

_Dor._ I will do what I can, with all my heart, but--

_Dal._ I agree