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      De la Cot. Pardon, I pray you, my strange conduct.

      Phil. Willingly; the actions of lovers are often extravagant. Tell me, Giannina, is Mademoiselle Costanza gone?

      Gian. No, sir; she is waiting in my room.

      Phil. Go, Lieutenant, and keep her company for a little while.

      De la Cot. I would rather not, sir.

      Gian. Go, go. – [Aside to De la Cotterie.] Listen! Wait for me in the antechamber; I will be there presently.

      De la Cot. I shall obey you, sir.

      Phil. [Aside.] The power of words! – Well, what did you say to him?

      Gian. I told him to go to his mistress; that she expected him.

      Phil. But the first time you spoke to him?

      Gian. I said that Mademoiselle Costanza had hope she could persuade her father.

      Phil. Why did you not tell him so openly, before me?

      Gian. Things said in private often make the greatest impression.

      Phil. Perhaps so.

      Gian. By your leave.[Going.]

      Phil. Where are you going?

      Gian. To encourage this timid gentleman.

      Phil. Yes, by all means; I recommend him to you.

      Gian. Doubt not I shall take good care of him.

      Phil. My girl has a good heart, and mine is like hers.

      ACT II

      Cost. Who would ever have thought Monsieur de la Cotterie had such a liking for me? It is true he has always treated me with politeness, and been ready to converse with me; but I cannot say I have observed any great signs of love. Now I have always loved him, but have not had courage enough to show it. I flatter myself he too loves me, and for the same reason conceals it; in truth a modest officer is a strange animal, and it is hard to believe in its existence. Monsieur Philibert must have reasons for what he says, and I am well pleased to think him not mistaken, especially as I have no evidence that he is so. Here comes my handsome soldier – but Mademoiselle Giannina is with him; she never permits us to be alone together for a moment. I have some suspicion she is my rival.

      Gian. Keep your seat, Mademoiselle; excuse me for having left you alone for a little while. I know you will be kind enough to forgive me, and I bring some one with me, who, I am sure, will secure your pardon.

      Cost. Though surely in your own house and with a real friend such ceremony is needless, your company is always agreeable. I desire you will put yourself to no inconvenience.

      Gian. Do you hear, Lieutenant? You see we Dutch are not without wit.

      De la Cot. This is not the first time I have observed it.

      Cost. Monsieur de la Cotterie is in a house that does honour to our country, and if he admires ladies of wit, he need not go out of it.

      Gian. You are too polite, Mademoiselle.

      Cost. I simply do justice to merit.

      Gian. Let us not dispute about our merits, but rather leave it to the Lieutenant to decide.

      De la Cot. If you wish a decision, you must choose a better judge.

      Gian. A partial one, indeed, cannot be a good judge.

      Cost. And to say nothing of partiality, he feels under obligations to you as the mistress of the house.

      Gian. Oh, in France, the preference is always given to the guest: is it not so, Lieutenant?

      De la Cot. It is no less the custom in Holland, than in my own country.

      Cost. That is to say, the greater the merit, the greater the distinction with which they are treated.

      Gian. On that principle you would be treated with the most distinction.

      De la Cot. [Aside.] I shall get into trouble if this conversation continues.

      Cost. By your leave, Mademoiselle.

      Gian. Why do you leave us so soon?

      Cost. I am engaged to my aunt; I promised to dine with her to-day, and it is not amiss to go early.

      Gian. Oh, it is too early; your aunt is old, and you will perhaps still find her in bed.

      De la Cot. [Aside.] Do not prevent her from going.

      Gian. He begs me to detain you.

      Cost. I am overpowered by your politeness. [Curtseying.] – [Aside.] Her amusement is to torment me.

      Gian. [To Costanza.] What say you, my friend, have I not a good heart?

      Cost. I must praise your kindness to me.

      Gian. [To De la Cotterie.] And do you, too, own you are under obligations to me?

      De la Cot. Yes, certainly, I have reason to be grateful to you; you, who know my feelings, must be conscious of the great favour you do me. [Ironically.]

      Gian. [To Costanza.] You hear him? he is delighted.

      Cost. My dear friend, as you have such a regard for me, and take so much interest in him, allow me to speak freely to you. Your worthy father has told me a piece of news that overwhelms me with joy and surprise. If all he has told me be true, I pray you, Monsieur De la Cotterie, to confirm it.

      Gian. This is just what I anticipated; but as your conversation cannot be brief, and your aunt expects you, had you not better defer it to another opportunity?

      De la Cot. [Aside.] Heaven grant I may not be still more involved!

      Cost. A few words are all I ask.

      Gian. Come, Lieutenant, take courage, and say all in a few words.

      De la Cot. Indeed, I have not the courage.

      Gian. No, my dear, it is impossible to express in a few words the infinite things he has to say to you.

      Cost. It will be enough if he says but one word.

      Gian. And what is that?

      Cost. That he really loves me.

      Gian. СКАЧАТЬ