DONNA MATILDA (_glancing round for her portrait, discovers it, and goes up close to it_). Ah! Here it is! (_Going back to admire it, while mixed emotions stir within her_). Yes ... yes ... (_Calls her daughter Frida_). FRIDA. Ah, your portrait! DONNA MATILDA. No, no ... look again; it's you, not I, there! DI NOLLI. Yes, it's quite true. I told you so, I.... DONNA MATILDA. But I would never have believed it! (_Shaking as if with a chili_). What a strange feeling it gives one! (_Then looking at her daughter_). Frida, what's the matter? (_She pulls her to her side, and slips an arm round her waist_). Come: don't you see yourself in me there? FRIDA. Well, I really.... DONNA MATILDA. Don't you think so? Don't you, really? (_Turning to Belcredi_). Look at it, Tito! Speak up, man! BELCREDI (_without looking_). Ah, no! I shan't look at it. For me, _a priori_, certainly not! DONNA MATILDA. Stupid! You think you are paying me a compliment! (_Turing to Doctor Genoni_). What do you say, Doctor? Do say something, please! DOCTOR (_makes a movement to go near to the picture_). BELCREDI (_with his back turned, pretending to attract his attention secretly_).--Hss! No, doctor! For the love of Heaven, have nothing to do with it! DOCTOR (_getting bewildered and smiling_). And why shouldn't I? DONNA MATILDA. Don't listen to him! Come here! He's insufferable! FRIDA. He acts the fool by profession, didn't you know that? BELCREDI (_to the Doctor, seeing him go over_). Look at your feet, doctor! Mind where you're going! DOCTOR. Why? BELCREDI. Be careful you don't put your foot in it! DOCTOR (_laughing feebly_). No, no. After all, it seems to me there's no reason to be astonished at the fact that a daughter should resemble her mother! BELCREDI. Hullo! Hullo! He's done it now; he's said it. DONNA MATILDA (_with exaggerated anger, advancing towards Belcredi_). What's the matter? What has he said? What has he done? DOCTOR (_candidly_). Well, isn't it so? BELCREDI (_answering the Marchioness_). I said there was nothing to be astounded at--and you are astounded! And why so, then, if the thing is so simple and natural for you now? DONNA MATILDA (_still more angry_). Fool! fool! It's just because it is so natural! Just because it isn't my daughter who is there. (_Pointing to the canvass_). That is my portrait; and to find my daughter there instead of me fills me with astonishment, an astonishment which, I beg you to believe, is sincere. I forbid you to cast doubts on it. FRIDA (_slowly and wearily_). My God! It's always like this ... rows over nothing....