d to ask you to come and take Evarist's
place.

_Count._ If you do not wish to wait for him, or if you dislike eating
alone, come to my house and take pot-luck.

_Baron._ No, no, my dear Count. Do me the pleasure of dining with me.
Let us go to table, and if Evarist is not punctual, that is his loss.

_Count._ [_Content._] It will teach him politeness.

_Baron._ [_To_ Coronato.] Tell them to serve.

_Coronato._ Yes, sir. [_Aside._] H'm, h'm! there'll be little left for
the kitchen now.

_Baron._ I will go and see that they have prepared for our dinner.
[_Enters._]

_Count._ [_To_ Coronato.] Have you taken the second barrel of wine?

_Coronato._ Yes, sir, I sent it to your house.

_Count._ You sent it! without going with it? I fear mischief.

_Coronato._ I will tell you. I accompanied the man until the turn of the
road, where we met your servant.

_Count._ My steward?

_Coronato._ No, sir.

_Count._ My footman?

_Coronato._ No, sir.

_Count._ My lackey?

_Coronato._ No, sir.

_Count._ Who then?

_Coronato._ That man who lives with you, and sells your fruit, salad,
vegetables.

_Count._ What! that man?

_Coronato._ Just so. I met him, showed him the barrel, and he
accompanied my servant.

_Count._ [_Aside._] The devil! that fellow, who never sees wine, is
capable of drinking up half the barrel. [_Goes towards the door._]

_Coronato._ Excuse me.

_Count._ What is it?

_Coronato._ Have you spoken for me to Nina?

_Count._ [_Embarrassed._] All right, all right!

_Coronato._ All right?

_Count._ [_Advancing towards the door._] We will speak about it after.

_Coronato._ But tell me one thing.

_Count._ Come, come, let me go in, so as not to keep the Baron waiting.

_Coronato._ [_Aside._] I have good hopes. He is a man, if he takes up a
cause, to succeed with it--sometimes.--[_In loving yet harsh tones._]
Nina! Nina!

[Nina _spins on and does not reply._]

_Coronato._ Allow me at least to salute you.

_Nina._ [_Without looking up._] You would do better to give me back my
fan.

_Coronato._ Indeed!--[_Aside._] Oh, by the bye, I left that fan in the
cellar!--Yes, yes, let us speak of that fan.--[_Aside._] I hope no one
has carried it off. [_Goes into the house._]

[Crispino _laughs aloud._]

_Susanna._ You seem to have a light heart, Crispino, you laugh so
merrily.

_Crispino._ I laugh because I have my reasons for laughing.

_Nina._ [_To_ Crispino.] You laugh, and I feel gnawe