you will do me the favour--

_Count._ Do not fear, I will speak to her; I will ask her niece's hand
for a cavalier, who is my friend, and when I have asked her I am sure
she will not have the courage to say no.

_Baron._ Tell her who I am.

_Count._ To what purpose, when it is I who ask?

_Baron._ But you ask for me.

_Count._ For you.

_Baron._ You know precisely who I am.

_Count._ How should I not know your titles, your faculties, your
honours! Oh, we members of the aristocracy all know each other.

_Baron._ [_Aside._] How I should laugh at him if I had not need of him!

_Count._ My dear colleague!

_Baron._ What is it?

_Count._ Behold Signora Geltrude and her niece.

_Baron._ They are busy; I do not think they have seen us.

_Count._ Certainly not. If Signora Geltrude had seen me, she would have
moved instantly.

_Baron._ When will you speak to her?

_Count._ At once if you like.

_Baron._ It is not well I should be there. Speak to her. I will wait at
the apothecary's. I am in your hands.

_Count._ Good-bye, dear colleague and friend.

_Baron._ Good-bye, beloved colleague. [_Embraces him._] [_Aside._] He is
the maddest March hare in the world.

_Count._ [_Calling aloud._] Signora Geltrude!

_Geltrude._ [_Rising._] Oh, Count, excuse me! I did not see you.

_Count._ I beg, give me a word.

_Susanna._ Pray approach. My shop is at your service.

_Count._ No, no; I have something private to say. Excuse the trouble,
but I beg you come here.

_Geltrude._ In a moment. Allow me to pay for a cap I have bought, and
then I am at your disposal. [_Pulls out a purse to pay_ Susanna, _and to
prolong the moment._]

_Count._ What! you would pay at once! I never had that vice.

SCENE V.

Coronato _comes out of the inn with_ Scavezzo, _who carries a barrel of
wine on his shoulders._

_Coronato._ Honoured sir, this is the barrel of wine for you.

_Count._ And the second?

_Coronato._ After this I will bring the second. Where shall we take it?

_Count._ To my palace.

_Coronato._ To whom shall I consign it?

_Count._ To my steward, if he is there.

_Coronato._ I am afraid he is not there.

_Count._ Give it to any one you find.

_Coronato._ All right. Let us go.

_Scavezzo._ The Count will give me some drink money.

_Count._ Take care not to drink my wine, and don't put water to
it.--[_To_ Coronato.] Don't let him go alone.

_Coronato._ Never fear, never fear! I go too.

_Scavezzo.