thing more to say.

_Count._ What will you do with these pistols?

_Baron._ Excuse my acute sense of honour. [_Puts away the pistols._]

_Count._ And you mean to present yourself to two ladies with two pistols
in your pocket?

_Baron._ I always carry them in the country for self-defence.

_Count._ But if they knew you had these pistols,--you know what women
are,--they would not come near you.

_Baron._ You are right. Thank you for warning me, and, as a sign of good
friendship, allow me to present you with them. [_Draws one from his
pocket and presents it._]

_Count._ [_Nervously._] A present to me?

_Baron._ Yes; surely you will not refuse it?

_Count._ I accept it because it comes from your hands. But they are not
loaded?

_Baron._ What a question! Do you expect me to carry empty pistols?

_Count._ Wait! Ho there, cafe!

_Limonato._ [_From out his shop._] What would you, sir?

_Count._ Take these pistols and keep them till I ask you for them.

_Limonato._ At your service. [_Takes the pistols from the Baron._]

_Count._ Take care, they are loaded!

_Limonato._ [_Laughing._] Oh, I know how to manage them.

_Count._ Take care, no follies!

_Limonato._ [_Aside._] The Count is courageous, truly.

_Count._ I thank you, and shall value them.--[_Aside._] To-morrow I will
sell them.

_Tognino._ [_From the villa._] Gentlemen, my mistress expects you.

_Count._ Let us go.

_Baron._ Yes, let us go.

_Count._ Well, what do you say? Am I a man of my word? Ah, dear
colleague, we noblemen--our protection is worth something.

[Nina _comes out of her house softly, and goes behind them to enter._
Tognino _has let the_ Count _and_ Baron _pass, and remains on the
threshold._ Nina _wants to enter._ Tognino _stops her._]

_Tognino._ You have nothing to do here.

_Nina._ Yes, but I have.

_Tognino._ My orders are not to let you pass. [_Goes in and shuts the
door._]

_Nina._ I am furious!--I feel choking with rage! This insult to me--to a
girl of my kind! [_Stamps with rage._]

SCENE XII.

Evarist _from the street, his gun, on his shoulder, and_ Moracchio _with
a gun in his hand and bag with game, and the dogs tied by a cord. The
above._

_Evarist._ Here, take my gun, and keep those partridges till I dispose
of them. [_Seats himself before the cafe._]

_Moracchio._ Never fear, I will take care of them.--[_To_ Nina.] Is
dinner ready?

_Nina._ Quite ready.

_Moracchio._ What on earth is the matter?