us hope this will succeed too.

_Count._ Most undoubtedly! Hi, Nina!

_Nina._ [_Comes out of her house testily._] What do you want now?

_Count._ Do not be angered so quickly. I want to do you a service. I
want to marry you.

_Nina._ I don't need you for that.

_Count._ With some one to your taste.

_Nina._ And I say no!

_Count._ With Crispino.

_Nina._ With Crispino?

_Count._ Aha, what do you say now?

_Nina._ With all my heart!

_Count._ There, Crispino, you see what my protection means!

_Crispino._ Yes, sir, I see.

SCENE XII.

Moracchio _from the house. The above._

_Moracchio._ What are you doing here?

_Nina._ What does it matter to you?

_Count._ Nina is going to be married under the aegis of my protection.

_Moracchio._ As you like, sir; and she must consent, whether she like it
or no.

_Nina._ [_Gravely._] Oh, I will consent dutifully.

_Moracchio._ The better for you!

_Nina._ And to show you I consent, I will give my hand to Crispino.

_Moracchio._ [_Amazed._] But--Count--

_Count._ [_Placidly._] Let them be.

_Moracchio._ But, Count, did you not give your word to Coronato?

SCENE XIII.

Coronato _from the inn. The above._

_Coronato._ Who is talking about me?

_Moracchio._ Come here, and behold! The Count wants my sister to
marry--

_Coronato._ [_Anxiously._] Count!

_Count._ I am a just man and a nobleman, a sensible protector and human.
Nina does not want you, and I cannot, and must not, and will not use
violence!

_Nina._ And I want Crispino, though the whole world oppose it!

_Coronato._ [_To_ Moracchio.] And what say you?

_Moracchio._ [_To_ Coronato.] And what say you?

_Coronato._ I don't care a fig! Who does not want me, does not deserve
me!

_Nina._ That is the saying.

_Count._ [_To_ Crispino.] See the results of my protection!

_Coronato._ Count, I have sent the second barrel of wine.

_Count._ Bring me the bill, and I will pay it. [_While speaking, he
pulls out the gold snuff-box, and ostentatiously takes snuff._]

_Coronato._ [_Aside._] He has a gold snuff-box--he can pay. [_Exit._

_Moracchio._ [_To_ Nina.] Well, you have had your way after all.

_Nina._ So it seems.

_Moracchio._ And if you repent, it will be your affair.

_Count._ She will never need to repent. She has my protection.

_Moracchio._ Bread seems to me better than protection. [_Exit._

_Count._ And when shall we hold the wedding?

_Crispino._ Soon.

_