TODD. (_sits_ R. _of table_) Ah! I’ve the appetite of a Board of Aldermen! (MARIETTA _helps him to some of the stew_) And this stew is really so tempting! I’ll make no apology. (_eats greedily_) Never tasted anything so savory. Game—eh? Delicious! How d’ye make it? Infinitely superior to my lost Laura’s giblet pie! What a flavour! Ah! this is happiness! I’ll take another spoonful, if you please. Hah! I begin to feel I’m a lonely cockle on life’s dull shore. (_while he eats with his head bent over his plate_, JACOPO, _who has come into the apartment_, R., _motions_ MARIETTA _away_; _she crosses quietly at back to_ R. _and exits_, R. 2 E. JACOPO _then takes her place_ L. _of table_. MRS. TODD _retires as_ JACOPO _appears_) TODD. (_still eating_, _not perceiving_ JACOPO) Hah! I never thought to love again—you put tomatoes in your stew?—but from the moment I beheld these lovely features, the image of my lost Laura has been growing fainter and fainter in my bosom—like a faded daguerreotype—mushrooms, I perceive—and when I gaze on that beauteous face—(_he lifts his eyes_, _and seeing_ JACOPO _looking sternly at him_, _he remains transfixed with terror_, _holding in the air the spoon he was conveying to his mouth_) JACOPO. (_after a pause_) Proceed with your compliment, signor. TODD. I—I—I—beg pardon—the—the—Collector, I presume. JACOPO. (_brusquely_) The master of this house. TODD. Oh! indeed! (_aside_) Todd, you are a dead mackarel! JACO. You tremble. TODD. Oh, dear no, not at all. Ha, ha, ha! Merely a slight shiver—the evening’s rather cool. JACO. Drink then, ’twill warm you. (_pours out wine for_ TODD) TODD. (_takes the glass and puts it down again_—_aside_) It may be poisoned! (_with affected indifference_) Thank you, I’m not thirsty. JACO. Then I am. (_fills for himself_, _and drinks_) TODD. (_aside_) He drinks himself. There can be no danger. On second thoughts, I’ll do myself the honour of drinking your health. (_drinks_) JACO. Right. (_aside_) Now we may speak without reserve, and first to introduce myself, (_rises and bows_) I’m Jacopo Terreboli at your service! TODD. Terreboli! That desperate robber and cut-throat! I—I—beg pardon—I didn’t mean to—(_rising_) JACO. Make no apologies, signor, I’m the identical individual;—sit down and finish your supper. TODD. Thank you, my appetite’s gone, and if you’ve no objection, I’d rather follow it. JACO. (_fiercely_) Sit down! (TODD _drops into his chair_) Now we can proceed to business. (_placing pistols on table_, _and playing with dagger_, TODD _turns muzzle of pistols from him_) TODD. (_apart_) Private and confidential assassination! JACO. Why don’t you drink? (_pours out wine_) Every brave man drinks. TODD. You think I’m brave? (_drinks_) JACO. You’re a devil! And yet how we may be deceived by appearances—to judge by your looks—I should say you were a coward. TODD. (_aside_) Nature writes a plain hand!