Crispino _from out of_ Susanna's _shop. The above. Then the_ Count,
_after_ Nina.
_Crispino._ Oh, there he is! Sir, your servant. Signora Geltrude wishes
to speak with you. She is here in the shop, and begs you to have the
kindness to step in there. She expects you.
_Evarist._ Tell her I am at her service in one moment. I must urgently
speak to some one before.
_Crispino._ Yes, sir. And how are you now--better?
_Evarist._ Much better, I am glad to say.
_Crispino._ I am delighted to hear it. And Nina is well?
_Evarist._ I think so.
_Crispino._ She is a good girl, is Nina.
_Evarist._ Yes, indeed, and I know she loves you dearly.
_Crispino._ And I love her too, but--
_Evarist._ But what?
_Crispino._ I have been told certain things.
_Evarist._ Concerning me, perhaps?
_Crispino._ To say the truth, yes, sir.
_Evarist._ Friend, I am a gentleman, and your Nina is a good, honest
girl.
_Crispino._ I think so too. There are always evil tongues about.
[Count, _coming out of the pharmacy._]
_Evarist._ There now! Go to Signora Geltrude and tell her I shall come
directly.
_Crispino._ Yes, sir. [_Walks away._] I feel easy now that nothing is
wrong here.--[_Aloud as he passes the_ Count.] I commend myself to you
on behalf of Nina.
_Count._ Count on my protection!
_Crispino._ I desire it earnestly. [_Goes into the shop._]
_Evarist._ Well, Count?
_Count._ Here is the fan. [_He shows it him._]
_Evarist._ [_Seizes it eagerly._] Oh, what happiness! How greatly I am
obliged to you!
_Count._ Look whether it be yours.
_Evarist._ Beyond a doubt. [_Wishes to move off._]
_Count._ And the snuff-box?
_Evarist._ Do not let us name that. I am but too grateful. [_Off to_
Susanna's _shop._]
_Count._ What it means not to understand things perfectly! I thought it
a common fan, and now it seems it is worth so much,--so much, in fact,
that it is worth exchanging against a gold snuff-box. No doubt the Baron
would have liked the box. He was vexed that I asked for the fan back,
but when I said I would present it in his name, he was mollified a
little. I will now go and buy one like it.
_Crispino._ [_Returning._] Well, this job is done. I like to serve
Signora Geltrude. So you give me good hopes, Count?
_Count._ Most excellent hopes! To-day is a fortunate day for me, and all
I do in it succeeds.
_Crispino._ Let us hope this will succeed too.
_Count._ Most undoubtedly! Hi, Nina!
_Nina._ [_Comes out of her house testily._] What do you want now?
_Count._ Do not be angered so quickly. I want to do you a service. I
want to marry you.
_Nina._ I don't need you for that.
_Count._ With some one to your taste.
_Nina._ And I say no!
_Count._ With Crispino.
_Nina._ With Crispino?
_Count._ Aha, what do you say now?
_Nina._ With all my heart!
_Count._ There, Crispino, you see what my protection means!
_Crispino._ Yes, sir, I see.