th him; speak to
him for me.

_Mar._ No, you must speak to him yourself; all I can do is to hint at
the matter, and dispose him to listen to you.

_Ang._ Yes, yes, say something to him, and I will speak to him
afterwards. [_Going._]

_Mar._ Remain here.

_Ang._ No, no; when it is time, call me. I shall not be far off.
[_Exit_ Angelica.

Martuccia, _alone_.

_Mar._ How gentle she is--how amiable. I have been with her from her
babyhood. I love her; I am distressed for her, and wish to see her
happy. Here he is.

_Enter_ Geronte.

_Ger._ [_To_ Martuccia.] Where's Piccardo?

_Mar._ Signor--

_Ger._ Call Piccardo!

_Mar._ Yes, sir. But may I say one word to you?

_Ger._ [_Very impatiently._] Piccardo, Piccardo!

_Mar._ [_In the same tone._] Piccardo, Piccardo!

_Enter_ Piccardo.

_Pic._ Here, sir; here, sir.

_Mar._ [_To_ Piccardo _angrily._] Your master--

_Pic._ [_To_ Geronte.] Here I am, sir.

_Ger._ Go to my friend Dorval, and tell him I am waiting to play a game
of chess with him.

_Pic._ Yes, sir, but--

_Ger._ But what?

_Pic._ I have a commission--

_Ger._ To do what?

_Pic._ From your nephew.

_Ger._ [_In a passion._] Go to Dorval's.

_Pic._ He wishes to speak to you.

_Ger._ Begone, sir!

_Pic._ What a man! [_Exit._

_Ger._ A madman--a miserable creature! No, I will not see him; I will
not permit him to come and disturb my tranquillity. [_Goes to the
table._]

_Mar._ [_Aside._] There, he is in a rage at once. Most unfortunate for
me.

_Ger._ [_Sitting down._] What a move that was I made yesterday! what a
fatality! How in the world could I be checkmated with a game so well
arranged? Let me see; this game kept me awake the whole night. [_Looking
over the game._]

_Mar._ May I speak to you, sir?

_Ger._ No.

_Mar._ No! But I have something important to say to you.

_Ger._ Well, what have you to say? let me hear it.

_Mar._ Your niece wishes to speak to you.

_Ger._ I have no time now.

_Mar._ Really! Is what you are about, then, of such very great
importance?

_Ger._ Yes, of the utmost importance; I don't often amuse myself, and
then I do not choose to be plagued to death. Do you hear?

_Mar._ This poor girl--

_Ger._ What has happened to her?

_Mar._ They want to shut her up in a convent.

_Ger._ In a convent!--To shut my niece in a convent! to dispose of my
niece without my approbation, without my kno