BELCREDI. It doesn't matter at all! How does it alienate us? They (_pointing to Frida and Di Nolli_) have still to do what we have accomplished, doctor: to grow old, doing the same foolish things, more or less, as we did.... This is the illusion: that one comes forward through a door to life. It isn't so! As soon as one is born, one starts dying; therefore, he who started first is the most advanced of all. The youngest of us is father Adam! Look there: (_pointing to Frida_) eight hundred years younger than all of us--the Countess Matilda of Tuscany. (_He makes her a deep bow_). DI NOLLI. I say, Tito, don't start joking. BELCREDI. Oh, you think I am joking?... DI NOLLI. Of course, of course ... all the time. BELCREDI. Impossible! I've even dressed up as a Benedictine.... DI NOLLI. Yes, but for a serious purpose. BELCREDI. Well, exactly. If it has been serious for the others ... for Frida, now, for instance. (_Then turning to the doctor_): I swear, doctor, I don't yet understand what you want to do. DOCTOR (_annoyed_). You'll see! Let me do as I wish.... At present you see the Marchioness still dressed as.... BELCREDI. Oh, she also ... has to masquerade? DOCTOR. Of course! of course! In another dress that's in there ready to be used when it comes into his head he sees the Countess Matilda of Canossa before him. FRIDA (_while talking quietly to Di Nolli notices the doctor's mistake_). Of Tuscany, of Tuscany! DOCTOR. It's all the same! BELCREDI. Oh, I see! He'll be faced by two of them.... DOCTOR. Two, precisely! And then.... FRIDA (_calling him aside_). Come here, doctor! Listen! DOCTOR. Here I am! (_Goes near the two young people and pretends to give some explanations to them_). BELCREDI (_softly to Donna Matilda_). I say, this is getting rather strong, you know! DONNA MATILDA (_looking him firmly in the face_). What? BELCREDI. Does it really interest you as much as all that--to make you willing to take part in...? For a woman this is simply enormous!... DONNA MATILDA. Yes, for an ordinary woman. BELCREDI. Oh, no, my dear, for all women,--in a question like this! It's an abnegation. DONNA MATILDA. I owe it to him. BELCREDI. Don't lie! You know well enough it's not hurting you! DONNA MATILDA. Well then, where does the abnegation come in? BELCREDI. Just enough to prevent you losing caste in other people's eyes--and just enough to offend me!... DONNA MATILDA. But who is worrying about you now? DI NOLLI (_coming forward_). It's all right. It's all right. That's what we'll do! (_Turning towards Berthold_): Here you, go and call one of those fellows! BERTHOLD. At once! (_Exit_).