There is a delightful touch here. She is going away to get
them. ' AH,' he cries after her. She comes back and gives
him the key. He comes back with the packet. His mood
has changed. He goes to the desk where hers lie, taJces them
all together, throws them into the fire and himself at her feet,
demanding pardon. And that is the end ? Oh, no. We are
in Italy not in England. What genius of mischief can turn
this happy ending into a tragedy ? We are very near. Only
a few pages left. You must be quick, evil spirit ! Some
sudden darkening of the skies, some sudden annihilation of
the vital power.] (They are sitting together.)

Paolo. You see that fit of violence has soon passed. It
was just because Mario was here. He's a good fellow and
a tactful man, but his presence irritated me. Yes, yes. You
were right. But you ought to have understood my state of
mind. (He gets up and begins to walk about.) Adding it all
up, what does this storm come to ? — ^This — that I am devoted
to you ; and that's the essential, it seems to me. Go to
the bottom of things. We have been husband and wife five



ITALIAN PLAYS AND PLAYWRIGHTS 53

years and you know if I have ever given you the slightest
cause of complaint. I don't believe I have, and five years are
five years. I have gained a good position by my work. You
have always figured in society. Pleasure is pleasure. I have
had friends. The Club . . . other married men, after a
year, in the evening ... I have given up every other thing.
