._ I can if I may.

_Candida._ Excuse me. [_Turns to leave._]

_Geltrude._ Stay here! I command it. [Candida _obeys._]

_Baron._ [_To_ Count.] What is all this imbroglio?

_Count._ [_To_ Baron.] I know nothing about it all.

_Evarist._ Susanna, do you know this fan?

_Susanna._ Yes, sir. It is that you bought from me this morning. I most
imprudently concluded you had bought it for Nina. I confess I was wrong,
but appearances were against you, for in truth you gave the fan to the
girl.

_Evarist._ Nina, why did I give you that fan?

_Nina._ That I might give it to Signorina Candida; but when I went to do
so, the ladies would not let me speak, and turned me out of the house. I
then wanted to give it back to you, and you would not have it, so I gave
it to Crispino.

_Crispino._ And I fell down, and Coronato took it.

_Evarist._ But where is Coronato? How did it leave Coronato's hands?

_Crispino._ Don't call him! As he is not there, I will tell the truth. I
was annoyed, went into the inn to fetch wine, saw it lying about, and
carried it off.

_Evarist._ And what did you do with it then?

_Crispino._ I gave it to the Count.

_Count._ And I gave it to the Baron.

_Baron._ [_Contemptuously._] And then took it back again!

_Count._ Yes, and restored it to Signor Evarist.

_Evarist._ And I present it to Signorina Candida.

[Candida _accepts it with a deep courtesy, smiling sweetly._]

_Baron._ What comedy is all this? what complication have we here? Am I
made ridiculous through your fault?

_Count._ I swear to Heaven, Signor Evarist, I swear to Heaven--

_Evarist._ Come, come, Count, do not distress yourself. We are friends.
Give me a pinch of snuff.

_Count._ [_Offers him the box._] Yes, I am like that; if I am treated
well, I don't excite myself.

_Baron._ You may not, but I do.

_Geltrude._ Baron!

_Baron._ And you, too, helped to make me ridiculous.

_Gertrude._ Excuse me; you don't know me, sir. I have not failed in my
engagements. I listened to your proposals, my niece heard and accepted
them, and I consented with pleasure.

_Count._ [_To the_ Baron.] You hear? That was because I spoke.

_Baron._ [_To_ Candida.] And you, Signorina Candida, why did you give me
hope? why did you deceive me?

_Candida._ I must ask your forgiveness, sir. I was torn by two
conflicting passions. The desire for revenge made me wish to be yours,
and love gives me back to Evarist.

_Count._ I did not know thi