e. Let me
assure myself of their inclination, and on the subject of interest, I
would soon arrange that.

_Dal._ [_Anxiously._] No; if you love me, do not meddle with it.

_Mad._ Are you then averse to marrying your sister?

_Dal._ On the contrary.

_Mad._ What then?

_Dal._ I must go now. I will talk with you about it on my return.
[_Going._]

_Mad._ Are you displeased at my interference?

_Dal._ Not at all.

_Mad._ Hear me. Perhaps it is concerning her fortune?

_Dal._ I know nothing about it. [_Exit._

_Mad._ What does this conduct mean? I do not comprehend it. It is
impossible that my husband--No, he is too wise to have anything to
reproach himself with.

SCENE III.--_Enter_ Angelica.

_Ang._ If I could speak with Martuccia! [_Not seeing_ Madame D.]

_Mad._ Sister!

_Ang._ [_Uneasily._] Madame!

_Mad._ Where are you going, sister?

_Ang._ [_Uneasily._] I am going away, Madame.

_Mad._ Ah! then you are offended?

_Ang._ I have reason to be so.

_Mad._ Are you angry with me?

_Ang._ Why, Madame?

_Mad._ Hear me, my child; if you are disturbed about the affair of the
convent, do not think I have any hand in it. It is just the reverse; I
love you, and will do all I can to render you happy.

_Ang._ [_Aside, weeping._] What duplicity!

_Mad._ What's the matter? you are weeping.

_Ang._ [_Aside._] How much she has deceived me! [_Wipes her eyes._]

_Mad._ What cause have you for sorrow?

_Ang._ Oh, the embarrassments of my brother.

_Mad._ The embarrassments of your brother!

_Ang._ Yes; no one knows them better than you.

_Mad._ What do you say? Explain yourself, if you please.

_Ang._ It is needless.

_Enter_ Geronte, _and then_ Piccardo.

_Ger._ [_Calls._] Piccardo!

_Pic._ Here, sir. [_Coming out of_ Geronte's _apartment._]

_Ger._ [_With impatience._] Well, where is Dorval?

_Pic._ He is waiting for you, sir, in your room.

_Ger._ He in my room, and you said nothing about it?

_Pic._ You did not give me time, sir.

_Ger._ [_Seeing_ Angelica _and_ Madame D., _he speaks to_ Angelica,
_turning as he speaks towards_ Madame D., _that she may hear him._] What
are you doing here? I wish to have none of your family. Go away.

_Ang._ My dear uncle--

_Ger._ I tell you, go. [_Exit_ Angelica, _mortified._

_Mad._ I ask your pardon, sir.

_Ger._ [_Turning towards the door by which_ Angelica _has gone out,
but from time to time looking at_ Madame D.] This is strange