_Marq._ Oh, oh!--That means--Well, why not?
_Count._ I have done everything to gain their esteem and friendship. A house so richly furnished, carriages and horses the most rare, diamonds worth a hundred thousand livres--
_Count._ 'Tis true; they were shown. Madame Araminta was amazed.
_Marq._ Grand!--Superb!--Good, good, excellent!
_Count._ Injustice and ingratitude have been my reward.
_Marq._ [_Aside._] In that case--if Eleonora--if my son--[_Aloud._] If so, Signor Count--candour--frankly and freely tell them--You understand me? Cut matters short.
_Count._ Had I paid these attentions to a lady of rank and merit, I should have acted much more wisely.
_Count._ Do you think a man of rank and fashion, a man like yourself for example, would refuse me the hand of his daughter?
_Marq._ On the contrary. A person of worth--a person that--oh, what do you mean? Certainly not.
_Count._ Signor Marquis, you encourage me.
_Marq._ Oh, I--If so--I'll go this moment!
_Marq._ To my daughter. [_Calls._] Fiorillo!
_Fior._ The coachman is not here, Signor.
_Marq._ How so? [_To the_ Count.] Can you lend me--? Soon return.
_Count._ It is not a hundred yards; you can easily walk.
_Marq._ Walk!--Hundred yards!--Enough--Adieu--Soon be back. [_Going._] Diamonds! A hundred thousand livres! [_Exit with_ Fiorillo.
_Count._ Courage! The Marquis is enraptured; the daughter's won. All goes well. But I must not lose sight of--[_Calls._] Frontino! No, no; she must not get possession of the jewels. Frontino! I say!
_Front._ [_Entering._] I was busy in planning the dessert.
_Count._ Go immediately, and tell my sister I beg her to come here; I have something interesting to communicate. And add, but in a whisper, that I request she will bring me the jewels which I committed to her care.
_Front._ But the supper, signor? I must be everywhere, and look to all!
_Front._ According to your wishes; two essentials excepted.
_Count._ Blockhead! Coffee at night! It prevents sleep.
_Front._ Surely, Signor!--Not give coffee! Forfeit your character as a liberal host, for such a trifling expense?
_Count._ Go, Mr. Liberality; do what I bid you.
_Front._ [_Aside._] No coffee! I would rather pay for it out of my own pocket. Yet no; he would even swear I had filched the money from other articles. [_Exit._