1828.] The Plays of Gherardo da Rossi. 509 



Let us see if we can make a bargain. Let me dance a country dance with 

 your daughter, and I promise to be silent. 



Sus. But, Signor, that cannot be. Because I am a woman of honour ; and 

 my daughter has come here to dance with the Count Spasimo. 



M. Liv. Well! but if I get his consent what do you say then? 



Sus. Ah, well in that case any thing you please ! But will you do me 

 the favour, in the mean time, to order me a jelly? 



M.Liv. Oh, with all my heart, Mamma ! And I like that style of expres- 

 sion " Order" me ! instead of saying, " Treat" me. It divides the blow, 

 instead of laying it on all at once. Bottega ! a jelly for this good lady. 



Sus. .And, boy d'ye hear ? biscuits and patties with it. 



Pistac. Directly, Madam. 



Sus. And, d'ye hear ! some cakes of gingerbread, bring ; and six wafer 

 cakes. 



M. Liv. Ha! ha! the whole stock of the shop, if you like, Mamma. But 

 you will burst. 



Sus. (taking the jelly, S$c. from the waiter). Oh, burst ! But how, Signor, 

 can you say that ! Would it not grieve you, if I were to burst ? 



M. Liv. Why really not much, Mamma. Because good ladies like you 

 were scarce at one time : but they are plenty now. 



Enter the Count Spasimo, richly dressed, but closely covered up, and masked. 

 Rosina with him, elegantly attired, and without a mask. 



Count S. (laughing to Rosina). Ha ! ha ! Poor Mamma Susanna ! how 

 anxiously she will be expecting us all this while ! 



Ros. Oh, no matter : we had better have danced another dance. But (sees 

 Susanna) there is our mother, and eating jellies. (Aside) Who can that 

 mask be that has given them to her ? (Shews herself, coming forward) Much 

 good may it do you, mother! 



Sus. (pocketting the wafers). Ah, Miss! is it you? A pretty time have I 

 waited ! I might have died of thirst before you would have recollected me, 

 when you were dancing ! 



Ros. Well ! And we come to balls to dance, mother ! 



Count S. Rosina ! (Aside.) Take care not to call me by my name. 



M. Liv. (still masked, but mining in the conversation). At your age, Signora, 

 true. But, at poor Mamma's time of life, you know, we want something 

 more substantial. (Aside to Susanna) Tell your daughter she is to dance 

 with me ; while I deal with the Count. (Accosts the Count in dumb shew, and 

 takes him aside.) 



Ros. Mother, who is that mask ? 



Sus. He is a gentleman, I think 1 don't know who. But he wants to 

 dance a dance with you. 



Ros. Indeed, but he won't. 



Sus. But, I tell you, he must. In the first place, I think he is a man of 

 rank : there is no knowing what may be got by him. And, besides, he knows 

 Giacinto; and says, if you don't dance with him, he'll tell of our being here 

 with the Count to-night. 



Ros. Oh, heavens ! he must not do that. Giacinto is a booby : but, I think, 

 he may marry me. 



M. Liv. (coming forward with the Count, to whom he has been talking). It is of 

 no use. I tell you, you are the Count Spasimo. Susanna has confessed it 

 to me. 



Count S. (aside). Curse her tongue ! 



M. Liv. Now, my wife is here. You know the consequence, if she sees 

 you. If you don't let me dance with Rosina, I'll call her this moment. 



Count S. (aside.) The devil he will ! Well, Marquis ! provided you keep 

 my secret, I must give her to you. But for one dance only and you'll bring 

 her back ? 



M. Liv. I am discreet : that satisfies me. (To Rosina) Fair lady ! your 





