s.

_Marq._ [_Rubbing his eyes and calling._] Fiorillo!

_Fior._ Signor?

_Marq._ My son?

_Fior._ He is gone out.

_Marq._ Why did not he--where is he gone?

_Fior._ To visit the Marchioness, his sister.

_Marq._ I too wish--my coach!

_Fior._ The horses, Signor--

_Marq._ [_Angry._] Good, good, excellent! My coach!

_Fior._ I will go and see. [_Exit._

SCENE IV.--_The_ Count _and the_ Marquis.

_Count._ Do you wish to go out, Signor Marquis?

_Marq._ See my daughter--much to say--tell her--Good, good, excellent!

_Count._ I have just had that honour. It was long since I had seen her.
She fully answers the charming promise of her childhood; her sweetness
has increased with her years, and the progress of her talents is
wonderful. Permit me to congratulate you on possessing such a treasure.

_Marq._ Oh, Count--ay, ay; a good girl. She has not, let us confess
it--but--character, manners--good, good, excellent!

_Count._ With such talents, so much merit, and blooming eighteen, you
should think of a husband for her.

_Marq._ No doubt. For my part, I--_apropos_: what has just passed--what
did you mean to say when--Did you not say _lend me_?

_Count._ It appears to me that you suddenly changed your opinion.

_Marq._ I tell you, no--it was not so. You have not--And yet I spoke
plainly.

_Count._ In any case, Signor Marquis, I shall be happy to serve you. I
have not spoken to Madame Araminta; for, to own the truth, I am not
quite pleased with her daughter. I begin to feel a certain dislike.

_Marq._ Oh, oh!--That means--Well, why not?

_Count._ I have done everything to gain their esteem and friendship. A
house so richly furnished, carriages and horses the most rare, diamonds
worth a hundred thousand livres--

_Marq._ Is it possible?

_Count._ 'Tis true; they were shown. Madame Araminta was amazed.

_Marq._ Grand!--Superb!--Good, good, excellent!

_Count._ Injustice and ingratitude have been my reward.

_Marq._ Good, good, excellent!

_Count._ [_Aside._] Curse the phrase!

_Marq._ [_Aside._] In that case--if Eleonora--if my son--[_Aloud._] If
so, Signor Count--candour--frankly and freely tell them--You understand
me? Cut matters short.

_Count._ Had I paid these attentions to a lady of rank and merit, I
should have acted much more wisely.

_Marq._ Ay, ay--if--certainly.

_Count._ Do you think a man of rank and fashion, a man like yourself for
example, would refuse me the hand of