Adol. (aside). But, indeed, it is a capital manœuvre of war! A woman entreated denies, and neglected entreats! Do you remain here instead of me.
Pao. (aside). No, indeed!
Adol. (aside). Yes, indeed! I’ll go and speak artfully for you in the other quarter, and put things right for you in no time!
Pao. (aside). But——
Adol. (aside). I’ll beat the big drum for you, you shall see! Let me go!
Pao. (aside). All right. Go!
Adol. (aside to Vereconda). I have removed all suspicion on his part.... I am going away to make things quite safe. (Aloud.) Will you excuse me, Signora Vereconda?
Ver. Do as you——
Pao. And take in my stead these ... well, let us call them verses. Don Vincenzo, rest his soul, would have called them “uncultivated, rugged songs, which have brought a blush to the revered countenances of Apollo and the Muses.”
Ver. (to Adolfo, aside). Who in the world was this Don Vincenzo?