-

_Count._ Well?

_Nina._ Let my brother marry the host.

_Count._ I swear that you shall never marry Crispino.

_Nina._ No? And why?

_Count._ I shall send him away from this village.

_Nina._ I shall go and seek for him wherever he is.

_Count._ I shall have him beaten.

_Nina._ Oh, as for that, he will think about it.

_Count._ What would you do if he were dead?

_Nina._ I do not know.

_Count._ Would you take another?

_Nina._ It might be.

_Count._ Imagine that he is dead.

_Nina._ Sir, I can neither read, nor write, nor reckon.

_Count._ Saucy girl!

_Nina._ Do you want anything else?

_Count._ Go to the devil!

_Nina._ Show me the road!

_Count._ I swear, were you not a woman--

_Nina._ What would you do?

_Count._ Go hence, I say!

_Nina._ I obey at once, for I am well bred.

_Count._ Well bred? and goes off and does not salute!

_Nina._ Oh, pardon me. I am till death your worship's obedient servant.
[_Laughs and runs towards the villa._]

_Count._ [_With scorn._] Rustica progenies nescit habere modum. I do not
know what to do. If she does not want Coronato, I can't force her. It is
not my fault. What on earth does he want a wife for, who does not want
him? Are women scarce? I will find him one better than this. He shall
see what my protection is worth.

SCENE VII.

_The above, and_ Geltrude _and_ Candida _outside the shop._

_Count._ Well, Signora Geltrude?

_Geltrude._ Count, my niece is a prudent girl.

_Count._ Well, then, briefly?

_Geltrude._ Count, permit me.

_Count._ Pardon me, but if you knew what I have endured with a woman--it
is true, another woman--[_Aside._] But all women are alike.--Well, then,
what does niece Candida say?

_Geltrude._ If the Baron really--

_Count._ Really! out upon your suspicions!

_Geltrude._ Admitting the condition and the circumstances, my niece is
content to marry the Baron.

_Count._ Bravo! [_Aside._] This time at least I have had a success.

_Candida._ [_Aside._] All to revenge myself on that false Evarist!

_Geltrude._ [_Aside._] I certainly did not think she would consent. I
fancied another affection held her, but I see I erred.

SCENE VIII.

Nina _on the terrace. The above._

_Nina._ She is not here, and I can find her nowhere. Oh, there she is!

_Count._ Consequently the Signorina Candida marries the Baron del Cedro.

_Nina._ [_Aside._] What do I hear? What will she answer?

_Geltrude._ She will do it a