SCENE II.--_A poor cottage. An old_ Man _and_ Woman _sitting together_.
_Woman_. She's poorly still. I fancy every day she's growing thinner. I am sure she's wasting steadily.
_Man_. Has the count Been here again to-day?
_Woman_. No. And I think He will not come again. She was so proud The last time he was here, you would have thought She was a queen at least.
_Man_. Remember, wife, What she has been. Trouble like that throws down The common folk like us all of a heap: With folks like her, that are high bred and blood, It sets the mettle up.
_Woman_. All very right; But take her as she was, she might do worse Than wed the Count Nembroni.
_Man_. Possible. But are you sure there is no other man Stands in his way?
_Woman_. How can I tell? So be, He should be here to help her. What she'll do I am sure I do not know. We cannot keep her. And for her work, she does it far too well To earn a living by it. Her times are changed-- She should not give herself such prideful airs.
_Man_. Come, come, old wife! you women are so hard On one another! You speak fair for men, And make allowances; but when a woman Crosses your way, you speak the worst of her. But where is this you're going then to-night? Do they want me to go as well as you?
_Woman_. Yes, you must go, or else it is no use. They cannot give the money to me, except My husband go with me. He told me so.
_Man_. Well, wife, it's worth the going--but to see: I don't expect a groat to come of it.
SCENE III.--_Kitchen of a small inn_. Host _and_ Hostess.
_Host_. That's a queer customer you've got upstairs! What the deuce is he?
_Hostess_. What is that to us? He always pays his way, and handsomely. I wish there were more like him.
_Hostess_. He has not stirred a foot Across the threshold. That's his only fault-- He's always in the way.
_Hostess_. Paces about the room, or sits at the window. I sometimes make an errand to the cupboard, To see what he's about: he looks annoyed, But does not speak a word. _Host_. He must be crazed, Or else in hiding for some scrape or other.
_Hostess_. He has a wild look in his eye sometimes; But sure he would not sit so much in the dark, If he were mad, or anything on his conscience; And though he does not say much, when he speaks A civiller man ne'er came in woman's way.