ng seen._]

_Evarist._ But if Candida won't let me see her--if by chance she does
not look out of the window--if seeing me she refuses to listen to me--if
her aunt forbids her! I am in a sea of confusion, of agitation.

[Crispino, _with a sack full of leather and shoes on his shoulder, goes
towards his booth. Seeing the two, he stops to listen._]

_Nina._ Dear Signor Evarist, you make me sad; I am deeply grieved for
you.

_Evarist._ Yes, my good girl, I deserve your pity.

_Nina._ So good, amiable, and polite a gentleman.

_Evarist._ You know my heart, you bear testimony to my love.

_Crispino._ [_Aside._] Nice things these! I see I came in time.

_Nina._ Indeed, if I knew how to comfort you--

_Crispino._ [_Aside._] Better and better!

_Evarist._ Well, at all costs I will try my luck. I will not have to
reproach myself that I neglected to clear up the matter. I go to the
cafe, Nina; I go and tremble. Retain to me your friendship and
good-will. [_He takes her hand, and goes into the cafe._]

_Nina._ On the one hand he makes me laugh, on the other I am sorry for
him.

[Crispino _puts down his sack, pulls out some shoes, puts them on the
bench, and goes into his shop without speaking._]

_Nina._ Why, here is Crispino! Welcome back! Where have you been till
now?

_Crispino._ Don't you see, to buy leather and to take shoes for mending.

_Nina._ But you do nothing but mend old shoes. I would not have people
say--you know they are so ill-natured here--

_Crispino._ The evil tongues will find more to say about you than about
me.

_Nina._ About me! What can they say?

_Crispino._ What do I care what they say--that I am more of a cobbler
than a shoemaker? It is enough for me to be an honest man, and to earn
my bread righteously. [_He sits down and works._]

_Nina._ But I don't want to be called the cobbleress.

_Crispino._ When?

_Nina._ When I shall be your wife.

_Crispino._ Eh?

_Nina._ Eh! What does this eh! mean? what does this eh! mean?

_Crispino._ It means that Signorina Nina will be neither cobbleress nor
shoemakeress; she has aims most vast and grand.

_Nina._ Are you mad, or have you drunk this morning?

_Crispino._ I am not mad, I have not drunk, but I am neither blind nor
deaf.

_Nina._ Then what the devil do you mean? Explain yourself if you would
have me understand you.

_Crispino._ I am to explain myself! You would have me explain myself? Do
you think I have not heard your fin