24
A LEGHORN HAT
- Baroness (Smiling). — Too expensive! Only this morning I received an answer from him — here it is...
- Achille. — Ah! An autographed letter! Let's look at it!
- Baroness (Reading). — "Madame, you have asked me for two songs. I shall sing three. You have offered me three thousand crowns. It is not enough!
- Achille. — The robber!
- Baroness (Going on). — "I shall accept only a flower from your bouquet."
- Achille. — Ah! What sentiment! Wait! I'll compose a romance upon it!
- Baroness. — A charming fellow! Last Thursday he sang for the Countess de Bray — who has such beautiful feet —you know?
- Achille. — Yes, well?
- Baroness. — Guess what he asked for!
- Achille. — Why, I don't know; a pot of gilly flowers?
- Baroness. — No; a dancing slipper!
- Achille. — A slipper! An original fellow...
- Baroness. — He takes all sorts of notions...
- Achille. — So long as they stop at wearing apparel...
- Baroness. — Why, Viscount! There, listen! A tenor! (Sound of several carriages, outside.) Heavens, can it be my guests? Cousin, be kind enough to receive them for me; I'll not be long. (Goes out, at the left.)
- Achille (To the Baroness, as she is going). — Have no anxiety, Cousin. You may count upon me...
- A Footman (Entering at the right). — There is a gentleman who wishes to speak with the Baroness Champigny.
- Achille. — His name?
- The Footman. — He wouldn't tell it to me. He says that he is the gentleman who had the honor to write, this morning, to her highness...
- Achille. — Ah! I have it! The singer! The knight of the slipper! I'm curious to see him. He's punctual! It's evident he's a foreigner. No matter! A man who refuses three thousand francs, is worth looking at. Show him in. (Aside.) Besides, he's a musician — a confrere...
- Fadinard (Appearing at the right; very timidly). — Ah—er—beg pardon, Sir, (the footman goes out.)
- Achille. — Come in, Sir. Come in!
- Fadinard (In embarassment, coming forward with several vigorous bows). — Thank you! I was in. (Puts his hat upon his
