MRS. T. Yes, on my journey to Naples, in search of my husband, when my vetturino was overturned at the foot of the hill. JACO. Accidents do frequently happen to carriages at that particular spot. But my band—ahem! my servants were at hand to render you assistance, signora? MRS. T. I never received greater attention in my life. That gentleman took charge of my luggage—and this—gentleman—(_designating_ GRIMBALDI) JACO. (L.) My major-domo! (GRIMBALDI, R., _bows profoundly_) MRS. T. Gave himself the trouble to secure my watch, rings, and other valuables. GRIM. A—hem! Don’t mention it. The trouble was a pleasure. JACO. (_crossing to_ GRIMBALDI) I’ll be accountable for their safe keeping, signora. (_putting them into his pockets_, _as_ GRIMBALDI _hands them over to him_) Your luggage shall also be taken care of. _He makes a sign to the_ BRIGAND, _who has remained up stage_, R., _and who carries off the luggage_, R. 2 E. MRS. T. (C., _aside_) Not to say handsome, but prodigiously polite! JACO. (R. C.) Pray be seated, signora. MRS. T. Thank you; but I am anxious to procure some means of pursuing my journey. JACO. (R. C.) Impossible to-night! GRIM. (R.) Quite impossible! JACO. To-morrow we can talk about it. You must pardon our rough housekeeping; but my niece, Marietta, will wait upon you. (MARIETTA, L., _curtseys_) Marietta! go and fetch the signora’s travelling bag; she will honour us by taking a bed here to-night. MARIETTA _crosses at back to_ R., _and in action expostulates with_ JACOPO—_then goes off_, R. 2 E. MRS. TODD. (L. C., _aside_) A perfect gentleman! JACO. (R. C.) You said you were travelling in search of your husband, signora; may I inquire how you came to be separated? MRS. T. Well, it’s a strange story. Mr. Todd and myself, wishing for a little continental air, set out on a foreign tour last spring, and got as far as Genoa, where we saw the mole;—but it’s no more like a mole than I am:—and nothing would serve Todd but we should have a sail on the bay, though he knew the sea always upset me—and it _did_ upset me—it upset us all—for our boat was overturned by a squall, and I should inevitably have died an amphibious death, if I had not clung instinctively to life;—and a vigorous sailor, who swam—and swam—and swam, until we were fortunately picked up by the boat of a steamer, bound to Marseilles, where I was safely landed. JACO. And your husband?— MRS. T. I learned that he too had been saved; but imagining I had met a watery end, he went into mourning for my loss, and to divert his melancholy, had continued his tour. I immediately set off for Italy, and succeeded in tracing him to Naples, where I was going when— JACO. That fortunate accident happened to your carriage. MRS. T. Fortunate? JACO. Undoubtedly, signora—since it has procured me the pleasure of your company.