[Re-entering the room.] Oh, of course, his policy is
to attempt to laugh me out of my resolves. They send him here merely to
laugh at me, Agnes, to laugh at me--[coming to AGNES angrily.] laugh
at me!
AGNES. He must be a man of small resources. [Threading her needle.] It
is so easy to mock.
END OF THE FIRST ACT
THE SECOND ACT
The Scene is the same as that of the previous Act. Through the windows
some mastheads and flapping sails are seen in the distance. The light
is that of late afternoon.
AGNES, very plainly dressed, is sitting at the table, industriously
copying from a manuscript. After a moment or two, ANTONIO and NELLA
enter the room, carrying a dressmaker's box, which is corded and
labelled.
NELLA. E permess, Signora (Permit us, Signora.)
ANTONIO. Uno scatolone per la Signora (Am enormous box for the
Signora.)
AGNES. [Turning her head.] Eh?
NELLA. E venuto colla ferrovia--(It has come by the railway--)
ANTONIO. [consulting the label.] Da'Firenze. (From Florence.)
AGNES. By railway, from Florence?
NELLA [Reading from the label.] "Emilia Bardini, Via Rondinelli."
AGNES. Bardini? That's the dressmaker. There must be some mistake. Non
e per me, Nella. (It isn't for me, Nella.)
[ANTONIO and NELLA carry the box to her animatedly.
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