ignor
Evarist.

_Candida._ Do you think Signor Evarist has any friendship for Nina?

_Susanna._ I know nothing. I do not concern myself about others'
affairs, and think ill of no one; but if the host and the shoemaker
are jealous of him, they must have their reasons.

_Candida._ [_Aside._] Alas! the argument is but too true,
to my prejudice.

_Susanna._ Excuse me, I should not like to make a mistake.

_Candida._ In what?

_Susanna._ I hope that you take no interest in Signor Evarist?

_Candida._ I? Oh, none whatever! I know him because he sometimes comes
to the house, and is a friend of my aunt's.

_Susanna._ Then I will tell you the truth. [_Aside._] I do not think
this can offend her. I almost thought that between you and Signor
Evarist there was some understanding,--of course permissible and
respectable,--but since he was with me this morning, I am of another
opinion.

_Candida._ He was with you this morning?

_Susanna._ Yes. He came to buy a fan.

_Candida._ [_Eagerly._] He bought a fan?

_Susanna._ Precisely; and as I had seen that you had broken yours, so to
speak, on his account, I at once said to myself, He buys it to give it
to the Signorina Candida.

_Candida._ So he bought it for me?

_Susanna._ Oh no, Signorina. I will confess to you I took the liberty of
asking him if he were buying it for you. He replied in a manner as if I
had offended him, "That is not my business; what is there between me and
the Signorina Candida? I have destined it elsewhere."

_Candida._ And what did he do with this fan?

_Susanna._ What did he do with it? He gave it to Nina.

_Candida._ [_Aside._] Oh, I am lost! I am miserable!

_Susanna._ [_Observing her agitation._] Signorina Candida!

_Candida._ [_Aside._] Ungrateful, unfaithful, and for whom?--for a
peasant girl!

_Susanna._ [_With insistence._] Signorina Candida!

_Candida._ [_Aside._] The offence is insupportable.

_Susanna._ [_Aside._] Poor me! What have I done?--Signorina Candida,
calm yourself, it may not be thus.

_Candida._ Do you believe he gave the fan to Nina?

_Susanna._ Oh, as to that, I saw it with my own eyes.

_Candida._ And then you say it may not be thus?

_Susanna._ I do not know--I do not wish that by my fault--

SCENE III.

_The above._ Geltrude _at the door of the villa._

_Susanna._ See, there is your aunt.

_Candida._ For Heaven's sake, say nothing!

_Susanna._ Do not fear.--[_Aside._] And she would have me believ