Mariano [calling to the unseen musicians crossly].  Silenzio!

[Michele enters from the hotel.  He is young, clean-shaven except for a dark mustache, wears a white tie, a blue coat, cut like dress-coat, blue trousers with red side stripes, brass buttons; his waistcoat is of striped red and blue.]

Michele [speaking over his shoulder].  Par ici, Monsieur Ribiere, pour le maitre d’hotel.

[Ribiere enters from the hotel.]

[Michele immediately withdraws.]

[Ribiere is a trim, business-like young Frenchman of some distinction of appearance.  He wears a well-made English dark “cutaway” walking-suit, a derby hat, and carries a handsome leather writing-case under his arm.]

Ribiere. [as he enters].  Ah, Mariano!

Mariano. [bowing and greeting him gayly].  Monsieur Ribiere!  J’espere que vous etes—­

[He breaks off, turns on his heel toward the invisible musicians, and shouts.]

Silenzio!

[He turns again quickly to Ribiere.]

Ribiere. [with a warning glance toward hotel].  Let us speak English. 
There are not so many who understand.

Mariano. [politely].  I hope Monsieur still occupy the exalt’ position of secretar’ to Monseigneur the Grand-Duke.

Ribiere. [sits and opens writing-case, answers gravely].  We will not mention the name or rank of my employer.

Mariano. [with gesture and accent of despair].  Again incognito!  Every year he come to our hotel for two, three day, but always incognito.

[He finishes setting the table.]

We lose the honor to have it known.

Ribiere. [looking at his watch].  He comes in his automobile from Naples.  Everything is to be as on my employer’s former visits—­strictly incognito.  It is understood every one shall address him as Herr von Groellerhagen—­

Mariano [repeating the name carefully].  Herr von Groellerhagen—­

Ribiere.  He wishes to be thought a German.

[Takes a note-book from case.]

Mariano.  Such a man! of caprice?  Excentrique?  Ha!

Ribiere.  You have said it.  Last night he talked by chance to a singular North American in the hotel at Napoli.  To-day he has that stranger for companion in the automobile.  I remonstrate.  What use?  He laugh for half an hour!

Mariano.  He is not like those cousin of his at St. Petersburg an’ Moscowa.  An’ yet though Monseigneur is so good an’ generoso, will not the anarchist strike against the name of royalty himself?  You have not the fear?

Ribiere [opening his note-book].  I have.  He has not.  I take what precaution I can secretly from him.  You have few guests?

Mariano [smiling].  It is so early in the season.  Those poor musician’ [nodding off right] they wait always at every gate, to play when they see any one coming.  There is only seex peoples in the ’ole house!  All of one party.