Marzio—Have you seen Signor Eugenio?
Ridolfo—No, honored sir.
Marzio—At home, of course, petting his wife. What an uxorious fellow! Always a wife! Always a wife! [Drinks his coffee.]
Ridolfo—Anything but his wife. He's been gambling all night at Pandolfo's.
Marzio—Just as I tell you. Always gambling.
Ridolfo [aside]—"Always gambling," "Always his wife," "Always" the Devil; I hope he'll catch him!
Marzio—He came to me the other day in all secrecy, to beg me to lend him ten sequins on a pair of earrings of his wife's.
Ridolfo—Well, you know, every man is liable to have these little difficulties; but they don't care to have them known, and that is doubtless why he came to you, certain that you would tell no one.
Marzio—Oh, I say nothing. I help all, and take no credit for it. See! Here are his wife's earrings. I lent him ten sequins on them. Do you think I am secured?
Ridolfo—I'm no judge, but I think so.