Fran. What is all this, Signor Serpilli? Just look, what a bundle of telegrams!
Ser. Excellent! Go and tell Signor Bertrando.
Fran. (lays the telegrams on the table). Oh! by-the-bye, I was forgetting.... What has become of my head?... There is a photographer outside who will insist on seeing the mistress.
Ser. Show him in. (Exit Francesco.)
Per. Only give me 50,000 francs, and Arganti shall have the most characteristic monument of the age!
(Enter Photographer, with his camera.)
Ser. What do you want, sir?
Pho. I saw all the telegrams posted up. Every one was in a state of consternation, asking who Arganti was.... Having made inquiries on the subject, I hastened hither with my camera, and would now request the favour of taking a photograph of the illustrious Arganti’s portrait.... Begging your pardon, what was his Christian name?
Ser. Ettore.
Pho. ... Poor Ettore’s portrait. I will guarantee a work of art that shall be a tremendous success! I am also going to take photographs of his bedroom, his study, his inkstand, the front of the house—everything!—and to advertise them in all the papers.