of—you and your apathy, which poor Virginia thinks she can cure by means
of the stimulus of jealousy! And I am to act the part of stimulus! But
it is a part I don’t at all relish, because when you come to look into
it, the stimulus, instead of acting on you, acts on me! In other words,
I am falling in love—do you understand that? I am falling in love with
your Virginia, my Carlo! I am becoming your rival, my good friend!—and a
neglected rival, by all that’s contemptible! Because I am your friend I
speak of nothing but you when I am with her;—she accuses, and I defend
you—you idiot! She doubts you, and I keep on swearing that you adore
her—blind fool!... And all this is very dangerous to my virtue. For,
while it is quite true that I speak on your account, I feel my ears
burning on my own. It is true that Virginia is touched by my words,
because I, lying most vilely, keep telling her that they are yours. But
I know well enough that they are my own words; therefore, is the look
that flashes from those great eyes of hers, as she listens to them, mine
or yours? I can’t tell, and the effort to find out causes such a
confusion of emotions—mine, thine, his, ours, yours, everybody’s...—that
my head spins round faster than Angiolina’s reel. There, you have it
now!
_P. Ferrari._
_A WET NIGHT IN THE COUNTRY._
LUISA, _and_ LAURETTA, _her maid, packing up trunks_.
_Lauretta._ Here—this trunk is locked, and now we are all ready.
_Luisa._ Oh! I hear my husband’s voice.
_Giuliano_ (_behind the scenes_). Yes, yes—don’t worry yourselves; I
will be punctual.
_A Voice_ (_ditto_). Yes—and your wife too; don’t forget!
_Other Voices._ Yes, of course, your wife must come with you.
_Giu._ Yes, yes. Then it is understood——Good-bye for the present.
(_Enter Giuliano._) Good evening, dear. (_Lays aside his gun._) Here I
am, back again. (_Looking round._) Oh! good—the trunks are all ready,
and the smaller boxes have followed their laudable example!...
Everything is in order!... Law and order for ever!
_Luisa._ And you’re as mad as ever! Are you tired?
_Giu._ According to your own rule—which holds good under any
circumstances—I never get tired. And to prove it to you—there is to be
dancing this evening.
_Luisa_ and _Lauretta_ (_astonished_). Dancing this evening!
_Giu._ Dancing.
_Luisa._ But you don’t think——?
_Giu._ I never think—another general rule. Yes, I repeat, there is to be
dancing, and, what is better, you will dance too.
_Luisa._ I, indeed!
_Giu._ Oh, yes! you shall dance, dear;—you shall come with your husband
to the party we have got up on the spur of the moment—you will be
lovely—adorable! Oh! don’t say no—I beg you—I entreat you. As a friend,
I entreat you ... (_Unbuttoning his coat._) As a husband, I command you.
_Luisa_ (_laughing as if in spite of herself_). You are a queer
creature!
_Giu._ Ah! you laugh?
_Luisa._ I may laugh; but you must not think I am going to give way.
_Giu._ Then there is nothing for it but a story? the resource of
old-fashioned comedies. Well, listen now, and you shall have your
story.... This is how it happened. Coming back from shooting, as we drew
near the village, we began to debate how we might spend the remaining
hours of this evening, up to the time of our departure, most agreeably.
We stopped in a meadow to form a club and discuss matters. As usually
happens in clubs, much learned nonsense was talked and many absurd
measures proposed.... At last some one suggested getting up an extempore
dance. The motion was negatived by the mayor and his secretary, whose
figures are obviously incompatible with any kind of gymnastic
exercise—except perhaps that to be obtained on a see-saw. It was then
that I carried my _coup d’état_; we were all seated, look you, so I took
in the situation at a glance, and exclaimed, “The motion is put to the
vote. Those against it will kindly rise; those in favour of it will
remain seated.” Our two Falstaffs exchanged a look full of anguish, and
seeing that they could not record a negative vote without the frightful
exertion of rising from the ground, preferred to affirm by remaining as
they were. The resolution was therefore passed by acclamation, and the
dance is to begin immediately in the drawing-room of the Manfredi
Palace, not far from this house.
_Luisa._ And what results from all this? That _we_ are going to this
dance?—we, who have to start at daybreak! Do think of it, Giuliano—the
thing is impossible!
_Giu._ How impossible?
_Luisa._ Don’t you see? all my dresses are already packed in this trunk;
the tulle, the ribbons, and flowers in that box; the gold ornaments
locked up in my jewel-case.... I should have to open everything, turn
everything upside down; and the coachman may come any moment to fetch
the things.... No, no—it’s absolutely impossible!
_Giu._ Hm!—well, if there’s no help for it—if it is to cause so much
inconvenience.... Well—sometimes it is as well to be reasonable....
_Luisa._ Come now, that’s right.
_Giu._ Well—I’ll make this sacrifice.
_Luisa._ Yes, for my sake, well done!
_Giu._ Yes, for your sake, I’ll try to put up with it.... I’ll go alone.
_Lau._ (_aside, laughing_). Oh! I didn’t expect _that_.
_Luisa_ (_astonished_). What! you’re going?
_Giu._ Oh! certainly!
_Luisa._ But, my gracious! your clothes are all packed up!
_Giu._ They can be unpacked, I suppose.
_Luisa._ But the trunks are locked.
_Giu._ They can be opened.
_Luisa._ But do you, or don’t you, understand that the cabman may call
for them any moment?
_Giu._ Send him to the devil! I’ll take that much on myself.
_Luisa._ Oh! I tell you what, this is mere childishness, and I am not
going to be the victim of all your whims and fancies! Now that I’ve
nearly killed myself getting things straight, packing and getting ready
and all, ... and I’m to upset everything again. I tell you I just won’t
do it! I don’t feel fit for it, and I tell you I’m not going to open a
single trunk,—so there! (_Walks up and down._)
_Giu._ You’re not going to undo anything?
_Luisa._ I’m not.
_Giu._ Quite sure?
_Luisa._ Absolutely.
_Giu._ Then I will. (_Opens a trunk._)
_Lau._ (_aside_). It’s all up now!
_Luisa_ (_quickly_). Don’t—don’t! you’re turning everything upside down.
_Giu._ Either you or I.
_Luisa._ Do make an end of it!... There!—there’s no help for it—what can
one do with a lunatic? Get out of the way, do! What is it you want?
_Giu._ Not much—shirt, socks, white waistcoat, black necktie, dress
coat, gloves, crush-hat, handkerchief, breastpin, Eau-de-Cologne—nothing
else!
_Luisa._ Mercy on us! Oh! poor me!
_Giu._ Ah! and my boots.
_Luisa._ Anything else? Lauretta, where are the boots? Do come and help
me here!
_Lau._ They’re in the green trunk in the other room!
_Giu._ Francesco! (_Enter Francesco._) Go into the other room at once,
and look if there is a pair of patent leather boots in the green trunk.
(_Exit Francesco._) Ah! by Jove! I knew I had forgotten something!
_Luisa._ Oh! good gracious! what else?
_Giu._ Why, of course, my other pair of trousers.
_Luisa._ Why, they’re right at the bottom of the box.
_Giu._ Oh, indeed! You don’t expect me to go in these, do you? (_Enter
Francesco without the boots._) Well—about those boots?
_Fran._ They are there.
_Giu._ Well, what have you done with them?
_Fran._ They’re in the green trunk.
_Giu._ Haven’t you brought them?
_Fran._ You told me to look if they were there, sir; you didn’t say I
was to bring them.
_Giu._ I must say you’re wonderfully intelligent for your age. (_With
ironical amiability._) Go back again, my dearest boy, open the trunk,
take out that pair of varnished boots.... Do you know, by-the-bye, what
varnished means? It means that they have never been blacked by you.... A
new pair that has not been worn yet.... Take them in your hands, and
bring them here to me.
_Fran._ Am I to bring in the trunk as well, sir?
_Giu._ Tell me now, what did your mother say when she saw you were such
an idiot?
_Fran._ She said nothing, sir; she cried.
_Giu._ Very good! Well, you can leave the trunk in the other room.
(_Walking up and down, while Luisa and Lauretta are unpacking, and
talking as if to himself._) Oh! I’m not at all sorry to go out by myself
for once in a way.... After two years of marriage....
_Lau._ (_aside to Luisa_). Mistress, if I were you, I wouldn’t let him
go by himself.
_Luisa._ Oh! he’s only joking ... My dear girl, if I had not to turn so
many things out....
_Giu._ Let me see ... to whom should I devote my attention more
particularly?... Decidedly there is no one but the doctor’s wife....
_Luisa_ (_aside to Lauretta_). Where did you put my light blue gauze
dress?
_Lau._ (_aside_). In the other trunk, on the top.
_Giu._ (_as before_). Yes, yes; that’s it ... the doctor’s wife....
After the dance I will see her home.
_Luisa_ (_aside to Lauretta_). Just open the other trunk and take out my
blue dress. (_Aloud, to Giuliano._) Just listen, Giuliano, I have been
thinking it over, and ... I think I’ll come too.
_Giu._ But just think, dear; you’ll have to turn everything upside down
and undo all the boxes you have packed.
_Luisa._ Never mind.
_Giu._ Then, you see, you have your dresses in this trunk, your tulle
and flowers and lace in that box, your jewellery——
_Luisa._ Do stop, you wretch! You want to have your revenge on me; but
it won’t do. I tell you I don’t mind; I’ll turn out everything and
come ... that is, _if you want me_!
_Giu._ Want you? How can you doubt it? But you’ll have to be quick.
_Luisa_ (_running to Lauretta_). Oh! I’ll be ready directly, never fear.
Quick, Lauretta; just throw the things anywhere; never mind where, as
long as you can get at my dress.
_Giu._ Let us be clear about things, dear wife. Directly is a relative
term, and when it relates to a lady’s toilet it is difficult to find a
fixed standard by which one can judge. Well then—(_watch in hand_)—how
much time will you require?
_Luisa._ Oh! just think of it! A quarter of an hour—half-an-hour at
most.... I’m sure I shall not take three-quarters ... or at any rate
only a very little more.
_Giu._ Ah! ah! you’re just like Goldoni’s lawyer. Well, try to make an
effort, at any rate!
_Luisa._ Oh! don’t be afraid; I won’t be a minute.
_Giu._ I tell you what I’ll do: while you’re dressing I’m going to throw
myself on the bed to rest a little.... So when you are ready, just tell
me.... I shall not be a minute dressing. (_Exit, but goes on speaking
behind the scenes._) Mind, I want you to look your best. What dress are
you going to put on?
_Luisa._ The blue gauze.
_Giu._ All right.
_Fran._ (_returning with the boots_). Where’s the master?
_Lau._ In the bedroom. (_Exit Francesco._)
_Fran._ (_behind the scenes_). Sir!
_Giu._ (_in a sleepy voice_). Let me alone.
_Fran._ The boots are here, sir.
_Giu._ Go away with you.
_Fran._ But you told me ... (_Comes out on the stage, followed by a
pillow thrown by Giuliano. Mutters to himself_:) After all, the proverb
is right, “Let sleeping dogs lie.”
_Luisa._ Really, in this house we are not likely to die of melancholy.
Come, Lauretta, and help me to get my dress on.
(_Exeunt Luisa and Lauretta._)
_Fran._ As I’ve nothing to do, I might as well go to my room and sleep a
little. By Jove! I think it’s raining. (_Goes to look out of window._)
Yes, indeed, that’s good! I wonder how the mistress will manage to go to
that dance.
_Luisa_ (_within_). Francesco!
_Fran._ Yes, ma’am.
_Luisa._ Is it raining?
_Fran._ I’m afraid so.... If you’ll allow me, ma’am, I’ll go away to my
room; you can give a call whenever you want me.
_Luisa._ Yes, yes, you may go. (_Exit Francesco._)
(_Enter Cavallotto._)
_Cav._ What’s this? Everything was ready, and now ... Body o’ the
morning! what does all this mean?
_Luisa_ (_within, Lauretta_). My good man, we are going to a dance.
_Cav._ And when will you start?
_Luisa._ We shall start later.
_Cav._ But that does not suit me at all, ma’am! Do you know that we have
forty miles to go? And I don’t want to find myself on the road after
dark.
_Giuliano_ (_within, awaking_). What’s the matter there?
_Luisa._ Oh! that will be all right. Giuliano, would you mind speaking
to Cavallotto?
_Giu._ (_as before_). Ah! Cavallotto, is it you? What do you want? We’ll
start later....
_Cav._ But, I repeat, by all the——
_Giu._ (_half asleep_). Don’t bother me now.... I’ll pay you extra....
We’ll make two days’ journey of it.... Anything you like, as long as you
go away now.
_Cav._ Ah! if you’re willing to stop half-way, I have no more to say; on
the contrary, I am glad of it, because one of my horses has a pain——
_Giu._ Ah! you scoundrel! (_Exit Cavallotto, shrugging his shoulders._)
And if we wanted to leave at six, how would you get out of the
difficulty?... Answer!... Ah! you are dumb! Let us see now ... how ...
because we shall have to ... Yes, certainly! (_Falls asleep._)
(_Enter Luisa, in evening dress, arranging her ornaments._)
_Luisa._ My good Cavallotto——! Why! he’s gone. So much the better. Now I
must call Giuliano, and find out what he means to do if it rains.
_Lau._ After all, it is only a few steps to the Manfredi Palace.
_Luisa._ That is true; but at any rate it is time to call him, Giuliano!
_Giu._ (_within_). What is it?
_Luisa._ It’s time to get up.
_Giu._ What a bother! I was sleeping so comfortably.
_Luisa._ Come, be quick!
_Giu._ Tell me, Luisa, have you really set your heart on going to this
tiresome dance?
_Luisa._ Oh, indeed! if you’re not enough to provoke a saint!
_Giu._ Calm yourself, my dear; I’m coming. (_Enters in his
dressing-gown. He sits down near the front of the stage._) See here;
while I was in there on the bed, my dear girl, I was reflecting
seriously——
_Luisa._ Do tell the truth, and say you were sleeping deliciously!
_Giu._ That may be, but even in sleep the mind continues its
intellectual processes, and, as I said, I thought over your judicious
observations....
_Luisa_ (_vexed_). Really, this is too much! First you nearly drive me
out of my senses, till I made up my mind to come with you to the dance;
then, when I have turned out all my boxes, and taken the trouble to
dress, and am all but ready, you want ... _Will_ you be kind enough not
to carry the joke too far?
_Giu._ Enough! let us perform this heroic action! Francesco!
_Fran._ (_within_). Sir?
_Giu._ Come here directly. (_Enter Francesco._) Take my things and come
and help me to dress. (_Exit into his bedroom, followed by Francesco._)
_Luisa._ Oh! these men! these men! all tyrants and bullies—even the best
of them! Come! where are my bracelets?
_Lau._ This time it went off all right, though!
_Luisa._ Oh! it’s not ended yet.... If you only knew ... I am terribly
afraid.
_Lau._ What about?
_Luisa._ I am afraid I have given Giuliano the wrong pair of
trousers ... those that did not fit, and made him so angry....
_Lau._ Those that he threw at the tailor’s head after the first time of
trying them on?
_Luisa._ Yes, those....
_Giu._ (_from within_). Luisa!
_Luisa_ (_aside to Lauretta_). Ah! didn’t I say so? (_Aloud._) What is
it?
_Giu._ Which trousers have you given me?
_Luisa._ I ... I don’t know....
_Giu._ They are those that ass of a tailor made.... I kept them out of
charity, but I never meant to wear them ... never!
_Luisa._ Oh! they can’t be those.
(_Enter Giuliano from the bedroom._)
_Giu._ Can’t they? I tell you it is the very pair.
_Luisa._ But do be persuaded....
_Giu._ Persuaded, indeed! Why, of course they are the same; and if you
don’t give me another pair I shall not come.
_Luisa._ And I tell you that I don’t feel the least bit inclined to pull
all the things out of another trunk.... It’s nothing but excuses to make
me stay at home. But anyway——
_Giu._ Oh, heavens! another sermon! No, no—do be quiet. I’ll resign
myself, and try to endure.... Francesco, my boots! (_He puts them on at
the back of the stage, turning his back on the audience._) Gracious, how
tight they are!... curses on that shoemaker! How am I to hold out with
my feet in these? (_Rises and walks about stiffly and clumsily._)
_Luisa._ Another excuse!
_Giu._ Excuse! I tell you it feels as though I had my feet in a vice. I
can’t move.
_Luisa._ After all, you’re not going to play at tennis.
_Giu._ Well, and what then? If a gentleman does not feel disposed to
take part in the noble game of tennis, is he to be laced up so that he
cannot move?
_Luisa_ (_angrily_). In short—I understand! Do you wish to stay at home?
Does it bore you to come to the dance? Do you want to go to bed? We will
stay at home—we will not go to the dance—we _will_ go to bed!
_Giu._ Mind that I do not take you at your word.
_Luisa._ Much it matters to me if you do! Come, Lauretta, help me off
with these things!
_Giu._ Francesco, get these boots off for me! (_Exit._)
(_Luisa sits down R., with signs of vexation, and Lauretta begins to
undo her head-dress._)
_Fran._ (_following Giuliano_). I am really beginning to get tired of
this business.
_Luisa_ (_rises and walks to the door of Giuliano’s room, Lauretta
following her and taking off her ornaments as she goes_). I tell you all
the same, sir, that this is not the way to treat me; and if you play me
this sort of trick again, I know very well what I shall do. (_Returns to
the front of the stage, and sits down, still followed by Lauretta._)
(_Enter Giuliano, followed by Francesco._)
_Giu._ And what, if you please, do you want to do? This is very fine
indeed! Is it my fault if my clothes and boots are too tight? Am I to be
condemned to walk about like a wooden doll—like an elephant—for a whole
night, to please you? Your pretensions are truly wonderful! (_Exit._)
_Marco_ (_behind the scenes_). Is Giuliano here? May I come in?
_Luisa._ Come in.
(_Enter Marco, with an umbrella, in a black dress-coat._)
_Marco._ Madam——
(_Enter Giuliano, in dressing-gown and slippers._)
_Giu._ Marco, my dear fellow, are you looking for me?
_Marco._ Precisely.
_Luisa._ With your permission.... (_Exit, with Lauretta._)
_Marco._ Well done! you are just dressing.
_Giu._ _Just_ so—we were just dressing. What’s the news?
_Mar._ The news is, that it is raining, and in this weather none of the
ladies will be coming to our improvised party. We therefore thought of
sending a carriage for them.
_Giu._ Well?
_Mar._ It’s not so well. A carriage is not so easily found in our
village.
_Giu._ I understand. If it were a cart, now....
_Mar._ We found one, however; a fine, commodious coach, to hold six
people——
_Giu._ An ark, in short—just the thing for this threatened universal
deluge. Well, what then?
_Mar._ The worst is, we cannot get——
_Giu._ The horses?
_Mar._ Precisely. The owner sold them last week, to buy——
_Giu._ Hay?
_Mar._ No, to buy a yoke of oxen.
_Giu._ Well, why don’t you harness the oxen?
_Mar._ Just like you—you must have your joke. Listen, now—this is what
we thought of doing. There are two cab-drivers in the place; we have
made arrangements with them to fetch the ladies in their cabs.
_Giu._ Very good.
_Mar._ So I have come to give you notice that in a little while they
will be coming round for your wife and you—so try to be ready.
_Giu._ But really....
_Mar._ Oh! there is no “really” that will hold. If you don’t come in the
cab, we’ll come to fetch you with a stick.
_Giu._ No—not that. Bruises for bruises, I prefer those of the cab. I’ll
come.
_Mar._ With your wife, mind!
_Giu._ With my wife.
_Mar._ Good-bye till then. (_Exit._)
_Giu._ Good-bye.
(_Enter Luisa, still in evening dress, followed by Lauretta._)
_Giu._ So, you understand that you absolutely must go!
_Luisa._ And be quick about it. (_Laughing._)
_Giu._ Francesco!
_Fran._ Here I am.
_Giu._ Quick, I want to dress! (_Exit._)
_Fran._ (_aside_). Now, I am most decidedly disgusted!
(_Exit._)
_Giu._ (_within_). Luisa, pity me! I am putting my feet back into the
vice!
_Luisa._ For so sweet a cause one can suffer anything!
_Giu._ (_within_). Ah!... May you be bitten by a mad dog!
_Luisa._ What’s the matter?
_Giu._ That idiot of a Francesco has just tenderly trodden on my foot
with one of his iron-heeled boots.
_Fran._ (_within_). I beg your pardon, sir; but would you please reflect
that it was you who put your foot under my heel?
_Giu._ And hurt your heel, eh?
_Lau._ (_laughing_). I think, ma’am, the scenes that take place in this
house, especially this evening ... I must say it is a pity people can’t
see them in the theatre!
(_Enter Giuliano in his shirt sleeves, followed by Francesco._)
_Giu._ Here I am; where’s my necktie? (_Francesco hands it to him, and
he puts it on. Luisa looks on, laughing._) You laugh, eh?—unhappy woman!
You laugh because you cannot take in at a glance the seriousness of your
husband’s position!... My waistcoat! (_Francesco hands it._) For one has
to calculate all chances ... the chance of a declaration, for instance!
_Luisa._ What business have you making declarations, sir?
_Giu._ I have no business whatever to make any; but I might do so—go on
my knees, and all—and then ... My dress-coat! (_Francesco hands it, as
before._)... Give me a pin for my necktie. (_Luisa brings him one._) Do
me the favour to put it in for me, will you? But mind you don’t make a
hole in me—see?
_Luisa._ Now, let the cab come when it likes—we are all ready!
_Giu._ Yes; the victim is prepared for the sacrifice! Just imagine it!
My feet are so numb and dead I might be a Chinese—a remnant of the
Russian army—a survivor of the Beresina! And then to have to walk
upstairs in these same boots, and finish up by dancing a mazurka with
the mayor’s daughter!
(_Enter Marco._)
_Mar._ May I come in?
_Giu._ Oh! it’s you? Here we are, quite ready!
(_Luisa puts on her shawl and hood, helped by Lauretta. Giuliano takes
his hat and gloves._)
_Mar._ I came myself, because——
_Giu._ Thanks for the trouble, my dear fellow. Come along, Luisa.
(_Gives her his arm._)
_Mar._ But—one moment!
_Luisa._ What is it?
_Mar._ I am truly grieved.... But I must....
_Giu._ But what is it all about?
_Mar._ One of the two cabmen we were counting on is away, ... and the
other....
_Luisa._ That is our Cavallotto; he is here, surely?
_Mar._ But one of his horses is ill, and cannot be harnessed. The rain
continues to come down in torrents; and as we saw there was no help for
it, we determined to give up the idea of the dance, and have one instead
when you come again.
_Luisa._ The dance, then....
_Giu._ There is none?
_Mar._ There is none. I came to make my apologies to you, madam; and now
I must run off home to change my clothes, for I am as wet as a drowned
chicken. Madam—Giuliano, old fellow, I wish you good-night and a
pleasant journey. (_Exit._)
(_Giuliano and Luisa stand, arm in arm, looking at one another
comically._)
_Lauretta_ (_aside to Francesco_). Go and tell the cook to bring up
supper.
_Francesco._ A good idea. (_Exit._)
_Giu._ (_looking round_). A magnificent room, isn’t it?
_Luisa_ (_who has laid aside her wraps, imitating him_). Splendidly
illuminated.
_Giu._ Ladies in great numbers.
_Luisa._ Plenty of gentlemen.
_Giu._ (_looking at Luisa_). See, see, how gracious my wife is to the
mayor!
_Luisa_ (_looking at Giuliano_). Look at my husband doing the polite to
the doctor’s wife!
_Giu._ Madam, will you kindly favour me with this polka?
_Luisa._ With all the pleasure in the world, sir.
_Giu._ (_to Lauretta and Francesco, who are standing at the back of the
stage laughing_). Orchestra!—polka!
(_Lauretta sings a polka, Francesco taking the bass. Giuliano and Luisa
take a few steps together._)
(_Enter the Cook, in white cap and apron._)
_Cook._ The supper is served.
_Giu._ Now, shall we go to supper?
(_Exeunt._)
(_Curtain._)
_Paolo Ferrari_
_A LOST EXPLORER._
FROM THE COMEDY “CORVI” (CARRION CROWS).
Bertrando, the editor of the _Demos_, and Serpilli, the publisher, have
just received word of the death of their friend Arganti, who had gone on
an exploring expedition into the Soudan.
_Bertrando._ I have just sent the confirmation of the sad news. Poor
Arganti! This sudden loss has quite paralysed me. It is all very well to
make a parade of one’s want of feeling and pretend to be a cynic; but
when the thunderbolt falls at your very feet....
_Serpilli._ Just so; but, _I_ say, what mad notion was it that made him
go and get himself killed out there? At fifty, too! Were there not
enough hare-brained young fellows eager to discover new outlets, new
resources for commerce, for industry, for African humanity, which,
by-the-bye, loves us as well as people love the smoke in their eyes?...
Wasn’t he quite comfortable here, in this charming house, with the best
of wives? No, sir! He must needs be off poking his nose into other
people’s affairs!
_Ber._ You forget how many years he had travelled—and the love of
science——
_Ser._ One might get over it if the misfortune had been confined to the
dead, but it also touches the living!
_Ber._ Serpilli!
_Ser._ My dear fellow, it’s all very well for you to talk; but I have
undertaken a complete illustrated edition of all his travels.... Sixty
thousand francs, do you understand? I am ruined!
_Ber._ Do you think this is the time——?