_Ant._ This night, if possible, there shall be more than one love-tale, my Nina. [_Exit Nina._ [_Beppa, who has gradually advanced, boxes Antonio's ears._ _Bep._ "There shall be more than one love-tale, my Nina." And this hand shall tell another tale (_striking again_), thou base villain! _Ant._ (_escaping from her, rubbing his ears_). O Lord! for tail read head. (_Aside._) This it is to have two wives. (_Aloud._) Why, Beppa, are you mad? How can I help it? _Bep._ How can you help it! _Ant._ Yes, how can I help it? I must obey my orders. _Bep._ Obey your orders! _Ant._ Yes, obey my orders, or lose my place. My master, who is amusing himself with a young lady, says to me, "Antonio, that servant girl hangs about much in my way, you must make love to her." _Bep._ Make love to her! _Ant._ Yes, make love to her. "I'll be hanged if I do," says I, thinking of my own sweet little Beppa. "Then you will be starved if you don't," said he. And as I found that he did not mean to be in earnest, I thought that there could be no harm in a little by-play. _Bep._ By-play! _Ant._ Yes, by-play. Well, I refused long, for it went against my conscience. Then he took this purse of ten moidores, and said, "Refuse me, and quit my service. Consent, and take this purse; the money will support your wife." _Bep._ (_snatching the purse_). Now, am I to believe this? _Ant._ Believe it! why, have you not the proofs? How should I possess ten moidores? Money is not to be had for nothing now-a-days. I meant to have told you all, but have not seen you since. _Bep._ She called you Lopez? _Ant._ She did. I would not give my name. No other shall call me "Dear Antonio," excepting my own true lawful wife! _Bep._ (_turning away with indifference, and putting the purse in her pocket_). Well, allowing all this to be true, and that's of no great importance, what a villain is your master, sir, to pay his court unto another, when he vows fidelity to my mistress, Donna Serafina! _Ant._ Upon my honour, I've enough to do to defend myself; though I must confess that his conduct is infamous. _Bep._ I'll to my mistress, and make known his treachery? [_Going._ _Ant._ Do no such thing! Bad news, though true, is never paid for; but the purse opens when the tidings please, although they're false as----(_points down below_). What's your message? _Bep._ My mistress dies to see him. _Ant._ Tell her he'll come to-morrow evening. He said as much when last I saw him. _Bep._ When last you saw him! Is he not here? _Ant._ He's here, and there, and everywhere, and nowhere. _Bep._ Where is he now? _Ant._ That I don't know; but not here, that's certain. [_Window opens, Gaspar calls loudly from within window--_ _Gasp._ Antonio! _Ant._ Santa Maria! Yes, sir. _Gasp._ Go to Castanos, and see if my guitar be strung. _Ant._ Now, how did he get there? Beppa, I must off. Remember my advice! _Bep._ (_scornfully_). I will. Good-by, Mr By-Play. [_Exit Beppa._