JOHN (_shouting after them_). Close the door there, and hide the key! That other door too. (_Pointing to the other door on right_). JOHN (_to the two valets_). Be off, you two! There (_pointing to exit right_)! Close the door after you, and hide the key! (_The two valets go out by the first door on right. John moves over to the left to show in: Donna Matilda Spina, the young Marchioness Frida, Dr. Dionysius Genoni, the Baron Tito Belcredi and the young Marquis Charles Di Nolli, who, as master of the house, enters last._) DONNA MATILDA SPINA _is about_ 45, _still handsome, although there are too patent signs of her attempts to remedy the ravages of time with make-up. Her head is thus rather like a Walkyrie. This facial make-up contrasts with her beautiful sad mouth. A widow for many years, she now has as her friend the Baron Tito Belcredi, whom neither she nor anyone else takes seriously--at least so it would appear._ _What_ TITO BELCREDI _really is for her at bottom, he alone knows; and he is, therefore, entitled to laugh, if his friend feels the need of pretending not to know. He can always laugh at the jests which the beautiful Marchioness makes with the others at his expense. He is slim, prematurely gray, and younger than she is. His head is bird-like in shape. He would be a very vivacious person, if his ductile agility (which among other things makes him a redoubtable swordsman) were not enclosed in a sheath of Arab-like laziness, which is revealed in his strange, nasal drawn-out voice._ FRIDA, _the daughter of the Marchioness is_ 19. _She is sad; because her imperious and too beautiful mother puts her in the shade, and provokes facile gossip against her daughter as well as against herself. Fortunately for her, she is engaged to the Marquis Charles Di Nolli._ CHARLES DI NOLLI _is a stiff young man, very indulgent towards others, but sure of himself for what he amounts to in the world. He is worried about all the responsibilities which he believes weigh on him. He is dressed in deep mourning for the recent death of his mother._ DR. DIONYSIUS GENONI _has a bold rubicund Satyr-like face, prominent eyes, a pointed beard (which is silvery and shiny) and elegant manners. He is nearly bald. All enter in a state of perturbation, almost as if afraid, and all (except Di Nolli) looking curiously about the room. At first, they speak sotto voce._ DI NOLLI (_to John_). Have you given the orders properly? JOHN. Yes, my Lord; don't be anxious about that. BELCREDI. Ah, magnificent! magnificent! DOCTOR. How extremely interesting! Even in the surroundings his raving madness--is perfectly taken into account!