“Thank you; but don’t trouble yourself. Who is he? I think I know that face, h-u-u-u-u-m! But yet the countenance is changed, and certainly the dress, h-u-u-u-u-m!” “Yes, joy and peace, and peace and joy, and joy and peace together.” Here the stranger bowed lower than ever. “Well--well--well--well--well!” “Yes, joy and peace I think--I said with all my heart.” He nearly laid his nose upon the doctor’s instep. And the new comer rather thought this last disguise was perfect, and panted for the moment when he and his Rosina should sweetest converse hold. “And pray, sir, who _are_ you?” “I’m Don Alonzo--and I am of music a professor, and I am, as well, dear sir, a pupil of Basilio’s--I mean good _Don_ Basilio’s. Poor man, he’s very ill, so in his stead--” “What, _very_ ill--then I must run and see him.” “No, no, pray don’t run and see him, ’tis no dangerous illness.” “Hu--u--u--um. Come, let’s go.” “But, sir!” “Hu--u--u--m.” “Now hear me.” “Hu--u--um.” “I’m Don Alonzo truly--but--but as the truth you’ll have--I come as well from Almaviva--count.” “Softly, softly, my _good_ sir.” “The count.” “Yes--yes--yes--but softly, softly!” “This morning to my lodging came, and in my hands, by chance, there fell this note, directed by your ward to HIM.” “Her very hand.” “You see, good doctor, busied with a lawyer, Basilio could not come, and so sent me, but he knows nothing of this letter, trust me. Well now, for I am mightily desirous, good sir, of your favor, if now I could speak a word to her?” “Speak, speak with her!” “I might induce the senorita to think I had this letter from--” “Well, well.” “A mistress of the count’s. And then you see.” “Good, good. She’d hate him. Softly, good! a calumny. Ah, ah! a worthy scholar you of Don Basilio’s. Well, well, I’ll call the chit, and since you are so interested in me, why, I’ll e’en repose great confidence in you.” The old man shakily going out of the room to hunt up his unfortunate little ward, the music master sat musing the most delicious thoughts. If now she would only consent to his plan, then they would be completely happy. When the doctor came back, leading the opposing and indignant Rosina into the room, his jealousy was awake in a moment; for how should Rosina know that the Don Alonzo was somebody else at the same time? Hence, when she looked up haughtily at the music master, behold her face changed its expression directly, and to a little scream she added a little start. The doctor saw the first, heard the second, and felt the third. “Well--well--well!” “Oh dear me, Senor, the _cramp_!” “Hu--u--u--u--m.” Meanwhile, the music master was again making the profoundest of bows. Then he profoundly placed a music stool before an old piano, and profoundly proposed to the young lady that she should sit down. Perhaps not unwillingly, she sat down, and perhaps not unwillingly, she poured forth a delightful song.