dissemble a little better when you pretend that you were ignorant he was
coming here. You defend him so warmly and so quickly, that it is no very
convincing proof of his visit being unexpected.

ELV. Your suspicions concern me so little, that I should be very sorry
to deny your accusation.

GARC. Why do you not go farther in your lofty pride, and, without
hesitation, lay bare your whole heart? You are too prone to
dissimulation. Do not unsay anything you once said. Be brief, be brief,
lay aside all scruples; say that his passion has kindled yours, that his
presence delights you so much...

ELV. And if I have a mind to love him, can you hinder me? Do you pretend
to sway my heart, and have I to receive your commands whom I must love?
Know that too much pride has deceived you, if you think you have any
authority over me; my mind soars too high to conceal my feelings when I
am asked to declare them. I will not tell you whether the Count is
beloved; but I may inform you that I esteem him highly; his great
merits, which I admire, deserve the love of a Princess better than you;
his passion, the assiduity he displays, impress me very strongly; and if
the stern decree of fate puts it out of my power to reward him with my
hand, I can at least promise him never to become a prey to your love.
Without keeping you any longer in slight suspense, I engage myself to
act thus, and I will keep my word. I have opened my heart to you, as you
desired it, and shown you my real feelings. Are you satisfied, and do
you not think that, as you pressed me, I have sufficiently explained
myself? Consider whether there remains anything else for me to do in
order to clear up your suspicions. (_To Don Silvio_). In the meanwhile,
if you persist in your resolution to please me, do not forget, Count,