Cherubino—­Ah, after this morning, he’d kill me if he found me here.

[He runs into the dressing-room on the right, which is also Susanna’s room; the Countess, after locking him in and taking the key, admits the Count.]

Count—­You don’t usually lock yourself in, Madame.

Countess—­I—­I—­was gossiping with Susanna.  She’s gone. [Pointing to her maid’s room.]

Count—­And you seem very much agitated, Madame.

Countess—­Not at all, I assure you!  We were talking about you.  She’s just gone—­as I told you.

Count—­I must say, Madame, you and I seem to be surrounded by spiteful people.  Just as I’m starting for a ride, I’m handed a note which informs me that a certain person whom I suppose far enough away is to visit you this evening.

Countess—­The bold fellow, whoever he is, will have to come here, then; for I don’t intend to leave my room to-day.

[Something falls heavily in the dressing-room where Cherubino is.]

Count—­Ah, Madame, something dropped just then!

Countess—­I didn’t hear anything.

Count—­You must be very absent-minded, then.  Somebody is in that room!

Countess—­Who do you think could be there?

Count—­Madame, that is what I’m asking you.  I have just come in.

Countess—­Probably it’s Susanna wandering about.

Count [pointing]—­But you just told me that she went that way.

Countess—­This way or that—­I don’t know which.

Count—­Very well, Madame, I must see her.—­Come here, Susanna.

Countess—­She cannot.  Pray wait!  She’s but half dressed.  She’s trying on things that I’ve given her for her wedding.

Count—­Dressed or not, I wish to see her at once.

Countess—­I can’t prevent your doing so anywhere else, but here—­

Count—­You may say what you choose—­I will see her.

Countess—­I thoroughly believe you’d like to see her in that state! but—­

Count—­Very well, Madame.  If Susanna can’t come out, at least she can talk. [Turning toward the dressing-room.] Susanna, are you there?  Answer, I command you.

Countess [peremptorily]—­Don’t answer, Susanna!  I forbid you!  Sir, how can you be such a petty tyrant?  Fine suspicions, indeed!

[Susanna slips by and hides behind the Countess’s bed without being noticed either by her or by the Count.]

Count—­They are all the easier to dispel.  I can see that it would be useless to ask you for the key, but it’s easy enough to break in the door.  Here, somebody!

Countess—­Will you really make yourself the laughing-stock of the chateau for such a silly suspicion?