1828.] The Plays of Gherardo da Rossi. 497 



Triv. (carelessly). I can't go any where now. I have my business to do. 



( Aside, and exit.) I must be going away to the Count, or it will be late, 

 and I shan't find him at home. 



Gia. (looking after Trivella). He must be out of temper this morning, I 

 think : for, in general, he is respectful enough. But, Signer Ernesto ! Pray 

 come hither to me. Tell the truth now were you not surprised to hear that 

 I was married ? I managed my affairs well, I think. You, none of you, knew 

 any thing about it. You did not even suspect me. I was cunning enough, 

 you see, my good friend, to deceive you. 



Ern. I hope it will be me that you have deceived and not yourself. But 

 I certainly was surprised to find the matter concluded so suddenly. Was 

 there time to adjust every thing? Were the settlements and pecuniary affairs 

 all arranged as they should be ? 



Giac. Oh, all ! You can't imagine what liberal people I had to deal with. 

 There was no occasion even to put pen to paper. Every thing the Countess 

 \^his wife's sister*^ desired, I consented to ; and every thing that I desired, she 

 was ready to admit at once. 



Ern. Humph ! If it has been properly taken care of, your wife's father left 

 her a tolerable fortune. I think it was as much as six thousand ducats. Has 

 the Countess settled with you at all about that ? 



Gia. Why in the haste of our marriage we were all in a hurry that 

 account was not exactly made out. But I understand it is all quite right : 

 the Countess Beatrice has the money in her possession. But these are trifles ! 

 You can't imagine what a fortunate fellow I am ! The most adorable wife ! 

 the most beautiful, and yet the most gentle ! There was a certain Count 

 a subaltern officer who thought he had some pretensions : but the moment 



/ appeared > But you I dare say you don't mean it ; but you don't 



seem to enter into my good fortune entirely. 



Ern. Oh entirely ! Pardon me : the case is quite clear. I am only 

 anxious to know when you are to get away into the country. 



Giac. Why I can't say that exactly. I suppose in about a month, 

 or so. 



^Ern. Listen to me. I would counsel you to get away, if possible, imme- 

 iliately. Because, depend upon this it will be a sacrifice to your wife when- 

 ever she goes. And she will bear that sacrifice better in the first week of your 

 marriage than if you leave it till afterwards. 



Giac. Ah, my dear friend ! But you have no idea how kind and docile my 

 Eugenia is ! She is condescension itself. But come come along I must 

 introduce you. Nay, I insist on it (Drawing him towards the bottom of the 

 stage). 



As he is dragging Ernesto off, the Countess Beatrice enters from 

 another chamber, meeting them : 



C. Beat. Heyday ! Why, what is all this ? Where are you both going, 

 .gentlemen ? 



Giac. I am going to introduce my friend here to my wife (Still pressing 

 Ernesto). 



C. Beat. Introduce ? Why, are you mad ? Your wife is at her toilet. In 

 short Introduce ? She is engaged. I wonder you should think of such a 

 thing- ! 



Ern. (coolly). Signora Beatrice no doubt is right. And I beg to be under- 

 stood that the proposition by no means originated with me. Good morning, 

 Giacinto. (Exit.) 



C. Beat. Giacinto ! you must not think of introducing people to your wife in 

 this way without consulting me. And such a visitor, too ! a lawyer ! If 

 it had been a gallant, indeed, we might have said something. But a lawyer ! 

 But come what do you do, staying in one place here for ever, like a cab- 

 bage? Why don't you go out? Come, go go out. We shall have visitors 

 here presently ; and you must not be at home. 



M. M. New Scries VOL. V. No. 29. 3 S 



