(_Enter from the corner of the Rue Mazarin an extremely pretty coquettish-looking young lady. She is followed by a pompous old gentleman, who is both fussy and over-dressed._) ALCINDORO DE MITONNEAUX. (_joining _MUSETTA_, out of breath_) Just like a valet I must run here and there. No, no, not for me! I can stand it no more. (MUSETTA_ without noticing_ ALCINDORO_, takes a vacant seat, outside the café._) How now? Outside? Here? MUS. (_without noticing his protests, he fearing to remain outside in the cold_) Sit down, Lulu! ALC. (_in great irritation, sits down, and turns up his coat collar_) Such a term of fond endearment Pray do not apply to me! MUS. Now, don't be Blue Beard, pray! (_A waiter approaches briskly, to prepare the table and begins to serve. _SCHAUNARD_ and _COLLINE_ furtively watch _MUSETTA_. _MARCEL_ feigns the greatest indifference. _RUDOLPH_ devotes all his attention to _MIMI_._) SCH. (_at the sight of the old gentleman with his decorations_) He's had a pretty good dose, I reckon. COL. (_scrutinizing _ALCINDORO) The naughty, naughty elder! MAR. (_contemptuously_) With his good young Susanna. MIMI. (_to _RUDOLPH) And her clothes are smart, too! RUD. The angels can't afford them. (_A piquet of the National Guard passes across the square; some shop-keepers go home; at the corner of the street the chestnut-seller does a thriving trade; the old clothes dealer fills her barrel with clothes, and goes away with it over her shoulder._) MUS. (_disconcerted at not being noticed by her friends_) Marcel can see me, But he won't look, the villain! And Schaunard! They provoke me past bearing! Ah! could I but beat them! If I could, I would scratch! But I only have to back me This old pelican! No matter! (_calls the waiter who has gone away_) Hi! waiter, here! (_the waiter hurriedly approaches_) See, this plate has a horrid smell of onions! (_dashes the plate on the ground; the waiter picks up the pieces_) ALC. Don't, Musetta! do be quiet! MUS. (_irritated, still watching MARCEL_) He won't look round! Now I could beat him! ALC. What's the matter? MUS. (_sharply_) I meant the waiter! ALC. Manners! Manners! (_Takes the bill from the waiter and orders the supper._) MUS. (_more irritated_) Such a bore! Just let me have my own way. If you please; I won't be ruled by you! MIMI. (_looking curiously at RUDOLPH_) Do you know who she is? MAR. You had better ask me. Well, her name is Musetta Her surname is Temptation. As to her vocation: Like a rose in the breezes, So she changes lover for lover without number. And like the spiteful screech owl, A bird that's most rapacious, The food that most she favors is the heart! Her food the heart is; Thus have I now none left! (_to his friends, concealing his agitation_) So pass me the ragout! SCH. (_to COLLINE_) Now the fun's at its climax, To one she speaks because the other listens. COL. (_to SCHAUNARD_) The other will not hear, Feigns not to see the girl: which makes her mad.