DONNA MATILDA. But first of all we've got to pretend that we are going away. DI NOLLI. Exactly! I'll see to that ... (_to Belcredi_) you don't mind staying here? BELCREDI (_ironically_). Oh, no, I don't mind, I don't mind!... DI NOLLI. We must look out not to make him suspicious again, you know. BELCREDI. Oh, Lord! _He_ doesn't amount to anything! DOCTOR. He must believe absolutely that we've gone away. (_Landolph followed by Berthold enters from the right_). LANDOLPH. May I come in? DI NOLLI. Come in! Come in! I say--your name's Lolo, isn't it? LANDOLPH. Lolo, or Landolph, just as you like! DI NOLLI. Well, look here: the doctor and the Marchioness are leaving, at once. LANDOLPH. Very well. All we've got to say is that they have been able to obtain the permission for the reception from His Holiness. He's in there in his own apartments repenting of all he said--and in an awful state to have the pardon! Would you mind coming a minute?... If you would, just for a minute ... put on the dress again.... DOCTOR. Why, of course, with pleasure.... LANDOLPH. Might I be allowed to make a suggestion? Why not add that the Marchioness of Tuscany has interceded with the Pope that he should be received? DONNA MATILDA. You see, he has recognized me! LANDOLPH. Forgive me ... I don't know my history very well. I am sure you gentlemen know it much better! But I thought it was believed that Henry IV. had a secret passion for the Marchioness of Tuscany. DONNA MATILDA (_at once_). Nothing of the kind! Nothing of the kind! LANDOLPH. That's what I thought! But he says he's loved her ... he's always saying it.... And now he fears that her indignation for this secret love of his will work him harm with the Pope. BELCREDI. We must let him understand that this aversion no longer exists. LANDOLPH. Exactly! Of course! DONNA MATILDA (_to Belcredi_). History says--I don't know whether you know it or not--that the Pope gave way to the supplications of the Marchioness Matilda and the Abbot of Cluny. And I may say, my dear Belcredi, that I intended to take advantage of this fact--at the time of the pageant--to show him my feelings were not so hostile to him as he supposed. BELCREDI. You are most faithful to history, Marchioness.... LANDOLPH. Well then, the Marchioness could spare herself a double disguise and present herself with Monsignor (_indicating the doctor_) as the Marchioness of Tuscany.