Val. Know that I am too upright to adorn myself with a name which is not mine, and that all Naples can bear testimony to my birth!

Ans. Softly! Take care of what you are about to say. You speak before a man to whom all Naples is known, and who can soon see if your story is true.

Val. (proudly putting on his hat). I am not the man to fear anything; and if all Naples is known to you, you know who was Don Thomas d'Alburci.

Ans. Certainly; I know who he is, and few people know him better than I do.

Har. I care neither for Don Thomas nor Don Martin. (Seeing two candles burning, he blows one out.)

Ans. Have patience and let him speak; we shall soon know what he has to say of him.

Val. That it is to him that I owe my birth.

Ans. To him?

Val. Yes.

Ans. Nonsense; you are laughing. Try and make out a more likely story, and don't pretend to shelter yourself under such a piece of imposture.