Albano, a rich Venetian merchant, is reported to have been drowned at sea; whereupon his wife, Celia, is beset with suitors, and her choice falls upon a French knight, Laverdure. Jacomo, a disappointed suitor, plots with Albano's brothers, Andrea and Randolfo, to disturb the match, and for this purpose they disguise Francisco, a perfumer, in the habiliments of Albano; but the plot is detected by Laverdure's page, Bidet, who communicates the discovery to his master. The true Albano now arrives upon the scene, and encountering Laverdure, is accosted as Francisco, and is told that the plot has been discovered. Laverdure leaves him in a distraction of rage and amazement, which is not lessened when Jacomo and his own brothers approach and congratulate him on his powers of deception. A meeting between Albano and the disguised Francisco presently ensues. While Celia is entertaining her friends, Albano and Francisco clamour for admittance. Laverdure had told Celia (and the news had been spread abroad) that he intended to disguise a fiddler in the likeness of Albano as a foil to the disguised perfumer. When Albano and Francisco appear, Celia imagines that one is the fiddler and the other the perfumer. The true Albano and the counterfeit Albano, after engaging in a lively skirmish, declare that they will appeal to the Duke. When they retire Laverdure protests that he knows nothing of the new claimant, but his words are disregarded. The rivals appeal to the Duke, and the mystery is quickly solved when Albano, taking Celia aside, shows her a secret mark on his person, and reminds her of words that he had spoken on a certain memorable occasion. INDUCTION. _Before the music sounds for the Act, enter_ ATTICUS, DORICUS, _and_ PHILOMUSE; _they sit a good while on the stage before the candles are lighted, talking together, and on sudden_ DORICUS _speaks_. _Enter Tireman with lights._ _Dor._ O fie, some lights! Sirs, fie! let there be no deeds of darkness done among us. Ay,--so, so, prithee, Tireman, set Signior Snuff a-fire: he's a choleric gentleman; he will take pepper in the nose[393] instantly; fear not. 'Fore heaven, I wonder they tolerate him so near the stage. _Phi._ Faith, Doricus, thy brain boils; keel[394] it, keel it, or all the fat's in the fire; in the name of Phoebus, what merry genius haunts thee to-day? Thy lips play with feathers. 10 _Dor._ Troth, they should pick straws before they should be idle. _Atti._ But why--but why dost thou wonder they dare suffer Snuff so near the stage? _Dor._ O, well recall'd; marry, Sir Signior Snuff, Monsieur Mew, and Cavaliero Blirt, are three of the most-to-be-fear'd auditors that ever---- _Phi._ Pish! for shame! stint thy idle chat.