Ribiere.  Good!  Who are they?

Mariano.  There is Milor’, an English Excellency—­the Earl of Hawcastle; there is his son, the Excellency Honorabile Almeric St. Aubyn; there is Miladi Creeshe, an English Miladi who is sister-in-law to Milor’ Hawcastle.

Ribiere [taking notes].  Three English.

Mariano.  There is an American Signorina, Mees Granger-Seempsone.  Miladi Creeshe travel with her to be chaperone. [Enthusiastically.] She is young, generosa, she give money to every one, she is multa bella, so pretty, weeth charm—­

Ribiere [puzzled].  You speak now of Lady Creeshe?

Mariano [taken aback].  Oh no, no, no!  Miladi Creeshe is ol’ lady [tapping his ears].  Not hear well.  Deaf.  No pourboires.  Nothing.  I speak of the young American lady, Mees Granger-Seempsone who the English Honorabile son of Milor’ Hawcastle wish to espouse, I think.

Ribiere.  Who else is there?

Mariano.  There is the brother of Mees Granger-Seempsone, a young gentleman of North America.  He make the eyes [laughing] all day at another lady who is of the party, a French lady, Comtesse de Champigny.  Ha, ha!  That amuse’ me!

Ribiere.  Why?

Mariano.  Beckoss I think Comtesse de Champigny is a such good friend of the ol’ English Milor’ Hawcastle.  A maitre d’hotel see many things, an’ I think Milor’ Hawcastle and Madame de Champigny have know each other from long, perhaps.  This dejeuner is for them.

Ribiere.  And who else?

Mariano.  It is all.

Ribiere.  Good! no Russians?

Mariano.  I think Milor’ Hawcastle and Madame de Champigny have been in
Russia sometime.

Ribiere [putting his note-book in his pocket].  Why?

Mariano.  Beckoss once I have hear them spik Russian togezzer.

Ribiere.  I think there is small chance that they recognize my employer. 
His portrait is little known.

Mariano.  And this North American who come in the automobile—­does he know who he travel wiz?  Does he know his Highness?

Ribiere.  No more than the baby which is not borned.

Mariano [lifting his eyes to heaven].  Ah!

Ribiere [looking at his watch].  Set dejeuner on the terrace instantly when he arrive:  a perch, petit pois, iced figs, tea.  I will send his own caviar and vodka from the supplies I carry.

Mariano.  I set for one?

Ribiere.  For two.  He desires that the North American breakfast with him. 
Do not forget that the incognito is to be absolute.

[Exit into hotel.]

Mariano.  Va bene, Signore!

[Puts finishing-touches to the table.]