Part 10 (1/2)
FORTUNE. [To AGNES, significantly.] Mr. Cleeve 'as jus' gone out.
AGNES. Vous savez, n'est-ce pas?
FORTUNE. [Glancing at GERTRUDE.] But Madame is now engage.
GERTRUDE. [To AGNES.] Oh, I am going.
AGNES. [To GERTRUDE.] Wait. [Softly to her.] I want you to hear this little comedy. Fortune shall repeat my instructions. [To FORTUNE.] Les ordres que je vous ai donnes, repetez-les.
FORTUNE. [Speaking in an undertone.] On ze left 'and side of ze Campo--
AGNES. Non, non--tout haut.
FORTUNE. [Aloud, with a slight shrug of the shoulders.] On ze left 'and side of ze Campo--
AGNES. Yes.
FORTUNE. In one of ze doorways between Fiorentini's and ze leetle lamp-shop--ze--ze--h'm--ze person.
AGNES. Precisely. Depechez-vous. [FORTUNE bows and retires.] Fortune flatters himself he is engaged in some horrid intrigue. You guess whom I am expecting?
GERTRUDE. The Duke?
AGNES. [Ringing a bell.] I've written to him asking him to call upon me this afternoon while Lucas is at Florian's. [Referring to her watch.]
He is to kick his heels about the Campo till I let him know I am alone.
GERTRUDE. Will he obey you?
AGNES. A week ago he was curious to see the sort of animal I am. If he holds off now, I'll hit upon some other plan. I will come to close quarters with him, if only for five minutes.
GERTRUDE. Good-bye. [They embrace, then walk together to the door.] You still refuse my address?
AGNES. You bat! Didn't you see me make a note of it?
GERTRUDE. You!
AGNES. [Her hand on her heart.] Here.
GERTRUDE. [Gratefully.] Ah! [She goes out.]
AGNES. [At the open door.] Gertrude!
GERTRUDE. [Outside.] Yes?
AGNES. [In a low voice.] Remember, in my thoughts I pace that lonely little room of yours with you. [As if to stop GERTRUDE from re-entering.] Hus.h.!.+ No, no. [She closes the door sharply. NELLA appears.]
AGNES. [Pointing to the box on the table.] Portez ce carton dans ma chambre.
NELLA. [Trying to peep into the box as she carries it.] Signora, se Ella si mettesse questo magnifico abito! Oh! Quanto sarebbe piu bella!