Evarist _running excitedly out of the cafe. The above._
_Evarist._ [_To_ Nina.] There she is, there she is! Now I am happy!
_Nina._ What does this joy mean?
_Evarist._ Oh, Nina, I am the happiest, the most contented man in the
world!
_Nina._ I am glad to hear it. I hope, then, you will make up to me for
all I have had to endure on your account.
_Evarist._ Anything you wish! Know, Nina, that they suspected that I
loved you. Signorina Candida knew I had given you the fan, thought I had
bought it for you, was jealous of me, was jealous of you!
_Nina._ Was jealous of me?
_Evarist._ Precisely; and to avenge herself, and in despair, she was
about to marry another. She saw me, and fell down lifeless in a faint.
Happily, a moment after her aunt left the house, Candida went into the
garden. I climbed over the hedge, sprang over the wall, fell at her
feet, wept, swore, implored, called all the saints to witness, and
convinced her. She is mine, is mine, and will be mine in all eternity!
_Nina._ I congratulate you. I am glad to hear it, sir.
_Evarist._ One only condition she makes in order to be quite convinced
of my love.
_Nina._ And that is?--
_Evarist._ In order that I may justify myself and you also, it is
needful that you give her the fan.
_Nina._ Oh dear, oh dear!
_Evarist._ My honour and your own are at stake. It would seem otherwise
as if I had really bought the fan for you. She must be relieved of every
suspicion. I know you are a sensible girl, therefore give me back that
fan.
_Nina._ But, sir, I have it no longer.
_Evarist._ Why tell this lie? I gave it you, and I would not ask it back
did not my whole life's happiness hang on it. I will buy you another,
far better and more beautiful. But, for Heaven's sake, give me back that
fan, and quickly too!
_Nina._ Oh, if I but had it!
_Evarist._ Nina, I repeat, our honour is at stake.
_Nina._ I swear I no longer have the fan!
_Evarist._ Oh, heavens! And what did you do with it?
_Nina._ Oh, they knew I had the fan, and forced me to give it up by
violence.
_Evarist._ Who?
_Nina._ My brother.
_Evarist._ [_Goes towards the house and calls._] Moracchio!
_Nina._ No, stop! He has not got it!
_Evarist._ Who, then?
_Nina._ He gave it to Crispino.
_Evarist._ [_Runs towards the workshop._] Crispino!
_Nina._ Stop and listen, I say!
_Evarist._ I am beside myself.
_Nina._ Crispino no longer has it either.
_Evarist._ Heaven and hell, who has it then? Quick!
_Nina._ That rogue of a Coronato.
_Evarist._ Coronato! hi, host, Coronato!
_Coronato._ Yes, sir?
_Evarist._ Give here that fan.
_Coronato._ What fan?
_Nina._ That which you stole.
_Evarist._ Out with it! Quick!
_Coronato._ Sir, I am sincerely sorry, but--
_Evarist._ How so? What is this?
_Coronato._ I can no longer find it.
_Evarist._ Not find it!
_Coronato._ I stupidly forgot it in the cellar, and went away. When I
came back, it had vanished. Some one must have stolen it.
_Evarist._ Look for it!
_Coronato._ I have searched the whole house, in vain.
_Evarist._ I will pay you whatever you like for it!
_Coronato._ But if it is gone--I tell you it is gone.
_Evarist._ I am in despair!
_Coronato._ I am most sorry, but I can do nothing. [_Exit._
_Evarist._ It is all your fault! You are my misfortune!
_Nina._ I? And how am I to blame in it all?