oy._ (_to the servants, as they go off_) Farewell, my friends, and
for your own sakes take good care of yonder chests; part of their
contents will convince you, that during my absence your fidelity and
attachment have still been present to my recollection.

[Exeunt _Teresa_ and _servants_.

_Ben._ Ay! ay! just the same kind master! ever attentive to others!

_Vice._ And without the attention of others, how could I exist myself?
good Benedetto, in imparting pleasure we receive it in return: to make
ourselves beloved is to make ourselves happy; and never can others love
that man, who is not capable himself of loving others.

_Ben._ My dear, dear lord!

_Vice._ But inform me, Benedetto; my sister?--

_Ben._ The marchioness, my lord, is still inconsolable; and in truth,
she has good cause to be so. The marquis wished his daughter to be
married immediately; my lady chose to defer it for a year, and my lady
was obstinate. The marquis wished to take his daughter with him to
Naples; my lady chose she should remain in a convent; and my lady was
obstinate. Her daughter fell ill there, and died; my lady says, that she
shall never recover her death, and it is but fair that my lady should be
now as obstinate on this point, as she has formerly been on every other.

_Vice._ Beloved unfortunate Josepha!-- and Venoni----?

_Ben._ Good lack, poor gentleman! he was absent, when this sad event
took place: for you must know, my lord, that when after the departure of
her parents he went to visit his betrothed at the convent-grate, the
sour-faced old abbess would'nt suffer him to see the lady Josepha. Nay,
what is the strangest circumstance of all, she produced a letter from
the marchioness commanding positively, that during her absence no person
whatever should have access to her daughter.

_Vice._ Most unaccountable!

_Ben._ The poor signor was almost frantic with surprise and grief: away
he flew for Naples; contrary winds for awhile delayed his arrival; but
at length he did arrive, and hastened to plead his cause to the parents
of his mistress.

_Vice._ And was the marquis aware of his lady's strange orders to the
abbess?

_Ben._ Oh, no! and Venoni returned to Messina, authorized to see Josepha
as often and for as long as he pleased. Alas, he was destined never to
see her more! the report had reached me, that a contagious disorder had
broken out in the Ursuline convent. I hastened thither. I inquired for
the dear lady; "s