Gertrude. [To herself.] Brute! [To Agnes.] Oh, I suppose Mr. Cleeve has made me look precisely as I feel.

Agnes.  How?

Gertrude.  Like people deserve to feel who do godly, mean things.

[Fortune appears.]

Fortune. [To Agnes, significantly.] Mr. Cleeve ‘as jus’ gone out.

Agnes.  Vous savez, n’est-ce pas?

Fortune. [Glancing at Gertrude.] But Madame is now engage.

Gertrude. [To Agnes.] Oh, I am going.

Agnes. [To Gertrude.] Wait. [Softly to her.] I want you to hear this little comedy.  Fortune shall repeat my instructions. [To fortune.] Les ordres que je vous ai donnes, repetez-les.

Fortune. [Speaking in an undertone.] On ze left ’and side of ze Campo—­

Agnes.  Non, non—­tout haut.

Fortune. [Aloud, with a slight shrug of the shoulders.] On ze left ’and side of ze Campo—­

Agnes.  Yes.

Fortune.  In one of ze doorways between Fiorentini’s and ze leetle lamp-shop—­ze—­ze—­h’m—­ze person.

Agnes.  Precisely.  Depechez-vous. [Fortune bows and retires.] Fortune flatters himself he is engaged in some horrid intrigue.  You guess whom I am expecting?

Gertrude.  The Duke?

Agnes. [Ringing a bell.] I’ve written to him asking him to call upon me this afternoon while Lucas is at Florian’s. [Referring to her watch.] He is to kick his heels about the Campo till I let him know I am alone.

Gertrude.  Will he obey you?

Agnes.  A week ago he was curious to see the sort of animal I am.  If he holds off now, I’ll hit upon some other plan.  I will come to close quarters with him, if only for five minutes.

Gertrude.  Good-bye. [They embrace, then walk together to the door.] You still refuse my address?

Agnes.  You bat!  Didn’t you see me make a note of it?

Gertrude.  You!

Agnes. [Her hand on her heart.] Here.

Gertrude. [Gratefully.] Ah! [She goes out.]

Agnes. [At the open door.] Gertrude!

Gertrude. [Outside.] Yes?

Agnes. [In a low voice.] Remember, in my thoughts I pace that lonely little room of yours with you. [As if to stop Gertrude from re-entering.] Hush!  No, no. [She closes the door sharply.  Nella appears.]

Agnes. [Pointing to the box on the table.] Portez ce carton dans ma chambre.

Nella. [Trying to peep into the box as she carries it.] Signora, se Ella si mettesse questo magnifico abito!  Oh!  Quanto sarebbe piu bella!  (Signora, if you were to wear this magnificent dress, oh how much more beautiful you would be!)

Agnes.  Sssh!  Sssh! [Nella goes out.  Fortune enters.] Eh, bien?