SCENE II.--_Enter_ Monsieur Philibert, _alone_.

_Phil._ I can never believe Monsieur Riccardo refuses to come here; he
knows who I am, and that it is to his interest not to offend one who can
do him either good or harm. He must remember I lent him ten thousand
florins when he commenced business, but there are persons who easily
forget benefits, and regard neither friends nor relations, when they can
no longer make use of them.

_Enter_ Marianna.

_Mar._ If I do not interrupt you, Monsieur Philibert,
I would say something to you.

_Phil._ I am now at leisure.

_Mar._ I would speak to you of an affair of my own.

_Phil._ Well, be quick, for I am expecting company.

_Mar._ I will tell you in two words: with your permission, I would get
married.

_Phil._ Get married, then! much good may it do you!

_Mar._ But this is not all, sir. I am a poor girl, and have now lived
ten years in your family; with what attention and fidelity I have served
you, you know. I ask you, not for the value of the thing, but as a mark
of your favour, to make me a small present.

_Phil._ Well, I will do something for you as a recompense for your
faithful services. Have you found a husband?

_Mar._ Yes, sir.

_Phil._ Bravo! I am glad of it. And you tell me of it after it is all
arranged?

_Mar._ Pardon me, sir; I should not do so now, but accident has led me
to an engagement with a young man of small means, which makes me come to
you.

_Phil._ I will lay a wager it is the servant of the officer with whom
you are in love.

_Mar._ You are right, sir.

_Phil._ And are you willing to travel all over the world with him?

_Mar._ I am in hopes he will live here, if his master marries, as they
say--

_Phil._ Yes, it is likely he will get married.

_Mar._ No one should know better than you, sir.

_Phil._ I am most anxious to see him happy.

_Mar._ As that is the case, sir, I consider it as though it were already
done.

_Phil._ There may be difficulties in the way, but I hope to overcome
them.

_Mar._ There are none, I think, on the part of the young lady.

_Phil._ No; she is much in love with him.

_Mar._ That is evident.

_Phil._ And when do you propose to be married?

_Mar._ If it please you, sir, at the same time my young lady is married.

_Phil._ What young lady?

_Mar._ My mistress, your daughter.

_Phil._ If you wait till then, you will have time enough.

_Mar._ Do you think her marriage will be long delayed?