aven grant that the day may be distant! but then I should be
my own mistress.

_De la Cot._ And do you wish me to remain in your house as long as he
lives?

_Gian._ No, Lieutenant; stay here as long as your convenience permits,
but do not appear so anxious to go while there are good reasons for your
remaining. Our hopes do not depend on the death of my father, but I have
reasons to flatter myself our attachment in the end may be rewarded. Our
love we must not relinquish, but avail ourselves of every advantage that
occasion may offer.

_De la Cot._ Adorable Giannina, how much am I indebted to your
kindness! Dispose of me as you please; I am entirely yours; I will not
go unless you order me to do so. Persuade your father to bear with my
presence, and be certain that no place on earth is so agreeable to me as
this.

_Gian._ I have only one request to make.

_De la Cot._ May you not command?

_Gian._ Have regard for one defect which is common to lovers;--do not, I
entreat you, give me any cause for jealousy.

_De la Cot._ Am I capable of doing so?

_Gian._ I will tell you. Mademoiselle Costanza, in the last few days,
has visited our house more frequently than usual; her eyes look tenderly
on you, and she manifests rather too much sympathy for your misfortunes.
You are of a gentle disposition, and, to own the truth, I sometimes feel
uneasy.

_De la Cot._ Henceforth I will use the greatest caution, that she may
indulge no hopes, and that you may be at ease.

_Gian._ But so conduct yourself, that neither my jealousy nor your love
for me shall be remarked.

_De la Cot._ Ah, would to Heaven, Mademoiselle, our troubles were at an
end!

_Gian._ We must bear them, to deserve good fortune.

_De la Cot._ Yes, dearest, I bear all with this delightful hope. Permit
me now to inquire for my servant, to get him to countermand the horses.

_Gian._ Were they ordered?

_De la Cot._ Yes, indeed.

_Gian._ Unkind one!

_De la Cot._ Pardon me.

_Gian._ Let the order be countermanded before my father knows it.

_De la Cot._ My hope and my comfort! may Heaven be propitious to our
wishes, and reward true love and virtuous constancy. [_Exit._

_Gian._ I never could have believed it possible for me to be brought to
such a step; that I should, of my own accord, use language and contrive
means to detain him. But unless I had done so, in a moment he would have
been gone, and I should have died immediately afterwards. But