_Fior._ [_Stumbling on_ Frontino.] Who is there?

_Front._ 'Tis I.

_Fior._ Frontino! Why have you put out the lights?

_Front._ Because--because it was too early.

_Fior._ 'Sblood! Your master is a miser indeed.

_Front._ How? Jackanapes! My master a miser!

_Fior._ Why, you told me so yourself.

_Count._ Ah, rascal! [_Shaking_ Frontino.]

_Front._ Oh, the liar! I capable of--

_Fior._ Hold your tongue, and listen patiently. I have thought of a way
by which you may crib a bottle of wine, in spite of the pellets.

_Front._ Vile cheat! What are you talking about?

_Fior._ Really, my dear Frontino, you are no longer the same. Change
thus in a minute! You speak as if your master were here.

_Front._ I speak as I have always spoken. I love my master, obey my
master, respect my master, and--and--he's a gentleman.

_Count._ [_Shaking him with great anger._] Scoundrel!

_Fior._ And all you have said of his avarice is false?

_Count._ Villain! [_Shaking_ Frontino _till he falls._]

_Fior._ What now? Where are you? What has fallen?
[_Exit the_ Count, _feeling till he finds the door._

SCENE VI.--Frontino _and_ Fiorillo, _then the_ Count.

_Front._ [_Aside._] The devil take you!--[_Feeling about._] Where are
you, Signor?

_Fior._ Who are you talking to?

_Front._ Signor, where are you?

_Fior._ Hey-day! You have taken a cup already, my friend.

_Front._ Ah! ah! Here he comes. God help my poor back.

_Count._ [_Entering with a candle, speaks softly._] Traitor!
Dog!--[_Aloud._] Hark you, Frontino!

_Front._ [_Afraid._] Ye--ye--yes!

_Count._ [_Aside._] If we were alone!--[_Aloud._] Go and tell Madame
Araminta I wish to speak to her, either in her room or my own.

_Front._ Yes, Signor.--[_Aside._]--I will not trust his looks.--[_To
the_ Count.] Do not think--

_Count._ [_Disdainfully._] Deliver your message.

_Front._ [_Aside._] I see how it is. You must pack off, my friend
Frontino. [_Exit._

SCENE VII.--_The_ Count _and_ Fiorillo.

_Fior._ You have a faithful servant there, Signor.

_Count._ You do not know him, friend. An ungrateful fellow, to whom I
have been kind and generous in vain. A professed liar! I discovered him,
gave him warning; and, to revenge himself, the rascal speaks ill of me.
[_Going with the light he brought._]

_Fior._ Excuse me; this room is dark: permit me to light another candle.

_Count._ Certainly. I can't tell why they were all put out.