. Your worthy
father has told me a piece of news that overwhelms me with joy and
surprise. If all he has told me be true, I pray you, Monsieur De la
Cotterie, to confirm it.

_Gian._ This is just what I anticipated; but as your conversation cannot
be brief, and your aunt expects you, had you not better defer it to
another opportunity?

_De la Cot._ [_Aside._] Heaven grant I may not be still more involved!

_Cost._ A few words are all I ask.

_Gian._ Come, Lieutenant, take courage, and say all in a few words.

_De la Cot._ Indeed, I have not the courage.

_Gian._ No, my dear, it is impossible to express in a few words the
infinite things he has to say to you.

_Cost._ It will be enough if he says but one word.

_Gian._ And what is that?

_Cost._ That he really loves me.

_Gian._ Pardon me; the Lieutenant is too polite to speak of love to one
young lady in the presence of another; but I can, by going away, give
you an opportunity of conversing together, and so remove all obstacles
to an explanation. [_Going._]

_De la Cot._ Stay, Mademoiselle!

_Cost._ Yes, and mortify me no more. Be assured I should never have
spoken with the boldness I have done, had you not led me to do so. I do
not comprehend your meaning; there is an inconsistency in your conduct;
but, be it as it may, time will bring the truth to light. And now permit
me to take leave.

_Gian._ My dear friend, pardon my inattention to you on first coming.
You are mistress to go or remain as you please.

_Enter_ Philibert.

_Phil._ What delightful company! But why are you on your feet? why do
you not sit down?

_Gian._ Costanza is just going.

_Phil._ [_To_ Costanza.] Why so soon?

_Gian._ Her aunt expects her.

_Phil._ No, my dear young lady, do me the favour to remain; we may want
you, and in affairs of this kind moments are often precious. I have sent
to your father, to say I desire to have a conversation with him; I am
certain he will come. We will have a private interview, and, however
little he may be inclined to give his consent, I shall press him so
as not to leave him time to repent; if we agree, I will call you both
immediately into my room.

_De la Cot._ [_Aside._] Our situation is becoming more critical every
moment.

_Phil._ [_To_ De la Cotterie.] You seem to me to be agitated.

_Gian._ It is the excess of joy.

_Phil._ [_To_ Costanza.] And what effect has hope on you?

_Cost._ I have more fear than hope.

_Phil._ Rely