ent, being desirous to promote this young lady's
happiness; but I think you will remember my brother ought to be, in some
degree, consulted in this affair.

_Eleon._ Heavens! what say you, Madame?

_Aram._ My daughter should have been his, had he been less of a
spendthrift.

_Marq._ I would have given him mine if he had not been a miser.

_Eleon._ [_Sees the_ Count _coming._] Oh, my mother!

_Marq._ Fear nothing--I'll speak--Yes, I--quite clearly--Good, good,
excellent!

SCENE XI.--_Enter the_ Count, _and afterwards_ Frontino.

_Count._ [_Aside._] She is here; now is the time to oblige her to
determine.--[_To_ Araminta.] I sent a request, Madame--

_Aram._ I was coming, but was stopped by the Marquis.

_Marq._ Yes, Signor Count, I have to inform you--

_Count._ Pardon me, Signor; I have business with this lady.--[_To_
Araminta.] The notary will soon be here, and we must sign the contract.

_Aram._ And do you still persist in claiming my daughter? Have you not
renounced her?

_Count._ No, Signora. My design, of which my sister may have informed
you, was to propose conditions honourable to all parties; but these the
Marquis disapproves.

_Marq._ Hear me speak. You asked me--yes--I would have--why not? But--be
so kind--Good, good, excellent! No anger--a hundred thousand livres,
diamonds, and not a grain of oats!

_Count._ Why do you thus reiterate oats? I cannot understand; can you,
ladies?

_Dor._ [_To the_ Count.] Your coachman, brother, may have refused--

_Count._ [_To the_ Marquis.] How! have your horses not been fed? If
so, am I responsible for my coachman's error? Must I be thought a
miser--I!--[_Aside._] My servants have babbled, and I shall lose my
reputation.

_Front._ [_Entering to the_ Count.] Persons without are asking for you,
signor.

_Count._ [_Aside._] My supper guests perhaps; the moment is favourable
to the support of my honour.--[_Aloud._] Is the notary among them?

_Front._ Yes, Signor.

_Count._ Bid him come in. Show the other persons into the card-room. Let
the house be illuminated and the supper served. [_Exit_ Frontino.

_Marq._ Good, good, excellent!

SCENE.--_The last._

_Enter the_ Notary, _the_ Jeweller, Giacinto, _and others._

_Count._ [_To the_ Notary.] Signor, please to read the contract, that it
may be signed. So, Signor Giacinto, you have discovered that my bride is
better, and that the supper will take place.

_Giac._ No, Signor, I have made no s