LAUDISI. What impressed me was her concern, which amounted to a steadfast determination, to protect her son-in-law from the slightest suspicion. SIGNORA SIRELLI. Not at all, not at all! What could she say for him? She couldn't really find a single word to say for him. SIRELLI. And I would like to know how anyone could condone such violence, such downright cruelty! THE BUTLER (_appearing again in the doorway_). Beg pardon, sir! Signor Ponza calling. SIGNORA SIRELLI. The man himself, upon my word! (_An animated ripple of surprise and curiosity, not to say of guilty self-consciousness, sweeps over the company_). AGAZZI. Did he ask to see me? BUTLER. He asked simply if he might be received. That was all he said. SIGNORA SIRELLI. Oh please, Signor Agazzi, please let him come in! I am really afraid of the man; but I confess the greatest curiosity to have a close look at the monster. AMALIA. But what in the world can he be wanting? AGAZZI. The way to find that out is to have him come in. (_To the butler_): Show him in, please. (_The butler bows and goes out. A second later Ponza appears, aggressively, in the doorway_. PONZA _is a short, thick set, dark complexioned man of a distinctly unprepossessing appearance; black hair, very thick and coming down low over his forehead; a black mustache upcurling at the ends, giving his face a certain ferocity of expression. He is dressed entirely in black. From time to time he draws a black-bordered handkerchief and wipes the perspiration from his brow. When he speaks his eyes are invariably hard, fixed, sinister_.) AGAZZI. This way please, Ponza, come right in! (_introducing him_): Signor Ponza, our new provincial secretary; my wife; Signora Sirelli; Signora Cini, my daughter Dina. This is Signor Sirelli; and here is Laudisi, my brother-in-law. Please join our party, won't you, Ponza? PONZA. So kind of you! You will pardon the intrusion. I shall disturb you only a moment, I hope. AGAZZI. You had some private business to discuss with me? PONZA. Why yes, but I could discuss it right here. In fact, perhaps as many people as possible should hear what I have to say. You see it is a declaration that I owe, in a certain sense, to the general public. AGAZZI. Oh my dear Ponza, if it is that little matter of your mother-in-law's not calling on us, it is quite all right; because you see....