“Don’t scream. He marries you, and yet he does not. My nephew Charles shall personate a notary. Then, married, I leave the rest to you, ’tis your business to drive him mad, as of course you know. Then, then we will do with him as we please. “Ah, ah, ah, ah!” (no more tears now, unless from laughter,) “ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, oh! Oh, how I’ll teaze him--how I’ll worry him--how he shall repent--ah, ah, ah.” “Oh but not at first!” “Oh, _dear_ no! shall I be merry, or downcast, or reserved?” “No, not at all.” “Shall I weep, or cry?” “No, you must appear a simple country lass.” “And I _will_. See how do I manage? oh, thank you, thank you--no, that is--but I’d rather not--you’re very, very humble servant, sir. Ah, ah, ah!” “Brava, that will do.” “And I must hold my head down, like a goose!” “And your lips pursed up.” “Like an old maid. Oh! sir, I am ashamed. I’d _rather_ not--your humble servant, sir! Ah, ah, ah!” “Come, let us go.” “Yes, oh, I shall die of laughing before we get there. Sir, your most obedient--ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!” CHAPTER III. Don Pasquale got himself up in such style for the reception of his bride that his own servants did not know him. In fact he hardly knew himself, and felt rather taller. But he was not comfortable, and indeed as he gave his servants orders to admit none but the doctor and the person who might be with him, he blushed rather red, which last word is superfluous, for no don in the world could blush blue! Well, the servants departed; he danced again, and then growing tired he was fatigued with waiting. Soon they arrived. The doctor pushing his “sister” forward with angry jerks. As for her, with her veil down over her meek face, she was uttering cries of fright and mild opposition. “Courage, courage, sister.” “Oh, dear me--that is--I can’t--please, brother, do not leave me.” Here the don danced up to the young lady, adjusting his necktie gracefully round his neck. “Something like a giggle was heard, but the next moment a voice from under the veil said, “Oh, dear, dear, dear, I can’t--that is, I’d rather go away. Please, brother, don’t--_don’t_ leave me.” “Do not be afraid.” “Oh, I’d rather stand behind.” And behind she went. The doctor went up to the don apologetically, saying that the poor girl was but just fresh from the convent. In fact, he said, she was naturally of a wild disposition, and it was for the don to tame her. “Oh, brother, brother, come here.” “Just one moment, sister--” “Suppose some one should come in, I should faint.” Here the young and bashful widow covered her mouth with her hand, and laughed. Said the don to himself, keeping away from the lady, whose face had not yet turned towards him, “If her face is equal to her voice, Don Pasquale, you lucky man you, you have waited for something.” “Brother, brother, I don’t like to be left alone.” “My dear, you are not alone, I am here, and here is Don Pasquale.”