.

_Phil._ A curious obstacle, truly. And who is this Monsieur Riccardo,
that he has such rigorous maxims? He is nothing but a broker, sprung
from the mud, grown rich amid the execrations of the people. Does he
think to rank himself among the merchants of Holland? A marriage with an
officer would be an honour to his daughter, and he could not better
dispose of his ill-got wealth.

_Gian._ It seems, then, if you were a broker, you would not refuse him
your daughter?

_Phil._ Assuredly not.

_Gian._ But, being a Dutch merchant, the match does not suit you?

_Phil._ No, certainly not; not at all--you know it very well.

_Gian._ So I thought.

_Phil._ I must interest myself in behalf of Monsieur de la Cotterie.

_Gian._ In what manner, sir?

_Phil._ By persuading Monsieur Riccardo to give him his daughter.

_Gian._ I would not advise you to meddle in the affair.

_Phil._ Let us hear what the Lieutenant will say.

_Gian._ Yes, you should hear him first.--[_Aside._] I must give him
warning beforehand.

_Phil._ Do you think he will set out on his journey immediately?

_Gian._ I know he has already ordered his horses.

_Phil._ I will send directly to see.

_Gian._ I will go myself, sir.--[_Aside._] I must take care not to make
matters worse. [_Exit._

_Phil._ [_Alone._] I feel I have done injustice to my daughter in
distrusting her; it is a happiness to me to be again certain of her
sincerity. There may be some concealed deception in her words, but I
will not believe her so artful; she is the daughter of a man who loves
truth, and never departs from it, even in jest. Everything she tells me
is quite reasonable: the officer may be in love with Mademoiselle
Costanza; the absurd pride of the father considers the match as far
below what his daughter is entitled to. I will, if possible, bring about
the marriage by my mediation. On the one hand, we have nobility reduced
in circumstances; on the other, a little accidental wealth; these fairly
balance one another, and each party will find the alliance advantageous.

_Enter_ Marianna.

_Mar._ Isn't my mistress here, sir?

_Phil._ She is just gone.

_Mar._ By your leave. [_Going._]

_Phil._ Why are you in such haste?

_Mar._ I am going to find my mistress.

_Phil._ Have you anything of consequence to say to her?

_Mar._ A lady has asked for her.

_Phil._ Who is she?

_Mar._ Mademoiselle Costanza.

_Phil._ Oh! is Mademoiselle Costanza here?

_Ma