That’s my passport in elegiac verse!
Mari. (curtseys) Your humble servant, Signor Toddini.
Todd. (aside) Signor Toddini! I like Toddini—and I’ll stick to it.
Mari. Travelling in search of health, Signor?
Todd. No, in search of pleasure; my wife’s dead—my adored Laura (plays a few lively notes) who was suddenly snatched from these widowed arms three months since, in the bay of Genoa.
Mari. (R.) Ah! drowned?
Todd. (L.) Drowned—drowned—no more. Neptune, envious of my happiness robbed me of my earthly treasure—still, I don’t complain of Neptune—no, I forgive him from my heart.
Mari. But what accident has directed you to this secluded mansion, signor?
Todd. The strangest one in the world; you must know I rode out from Naples this morning to visit a celebrated ruin in this neighbourhood;—I’m fond of ruins, when they’re in a perfect state! I was mounted on my guide, while a mule carried my umbrella—no, I’m wrong, I was mounted on my umbrella, while the guide carried the mule—no, I’m wrong again—for ’twas the mule carried me. Well, I was riding along enjoying myself wonderfully, thinking of my lost Laura, when, bang came a bullet through my hat! (takes off his hat and puts his finger through a hole in the side) There! (goes up and lays his hat on chair L. of table)
Mari. (laughing, aside) My uncle’s usual way of requesting travellers to stop.