t him.

_Count._ You see what a good match I propose to you.

_Geltrude._ He is a gentleman of merit.

_Count._ And my colleague.

_Geltrude._ He is perhaps a trifle free of speech, but without harm.

_Count._ Well, now, your answer, I beg?

_Geltrude._ Adagio, adagio, Count. Such matters are not decided all in a
moment. I should like the Baron to have the goodness to speak to me.

_Count._ Excuse me, if I say a thing, there can be no doubt about it. I
woo on his behalf, and he has begged my intercession, implored me--And I
speak to you, beg you--that is to say, I do not beg you, I demand of
you--

_Geltrude._ Let us admit that the Baron is in earnest.

_Count._ By Jupiter, what is this we are to admit? the thing is certain
when I say so.

_Geltrude._ Admitted, then, that the thing is certain. The Baron desires
her, you demand her. It is always needful I should ask Candida if she
assents.

_Count._ She cannot know about it unless you tell her.

_Geltrude._ [_Ironically._] Have the goodness to believe that I shall
tell her.

_Count._ Here she comes. Speak to her about it.

_Geltrude._ I will speak to her.

_Count._ Go, then, and I will wait you here.

_Geltrude._ [_Bowing._] Excuse me.--[_Aside._] If the Baron is in
earnest, it would indeed be a piece of good luck for my niece, but I
doubt. [_Goes towards_ Susanna.]

_Count._ Ha, ha! with my good manners I attain from people all I want.
[_Takes a book from his pocket, seats himself, and reads._]

_Geltrude._ Candida, I have to speak to you. Let us take a turn.

_Susanna._ Will you go into my little garden? You will be quite free
there.

_Geltrude._ Yes, let us go there, because I must come back here at once.

_Candida._ [_Aside._] What can she want to tell me? I am too miserable
to expect any good news. [_Both into the shop._]

_Count._ She is capable of keeping me waiting here for an hour. It is
well that I have this book to entertain me. What a beautiful thing is
literature! A man with a good book to hand is never alone. [_Reads._]

SCENE VI.

Count. Nina _comes out of her house._

_Nina._ Well, one good thing, the dinner is ready, so when that fellow
Moracchio comes he can't scold me. No one is looking. I had better go
now and take the fan to Signorina Candida. If I can give it her without
her aunt seeing, I will; if not, I'll wait another chance.

_Count._ Why, Nina, Nina. Ho, here, my girl! [_Goes towards the villa._]

_Nina._ Si