Giuseppe. And now our lives are going to begin in real earnest! What's a bachelor? A mere nothing — he's a chrysalis. He can't be said to live — he exists.

Marco. What a delightful institution marriage is! Why have we wasted all this time? Why didn't we marry ten years ago?

Tessa. Because you couldn't find anybody nice enough.

Gianetta. Because you were waiting for us.

Marco. I suppose that was the reason. We were waiting for you without knowing it. (Don Alhambra comes forward.) Hallo!

Don Alhambra. Good morning.

Giuseppe. If this gentleman is an undertaker it's a bad omen.

Don Alhambra. Ceremony of some sort going on?

Giuseppe. (aside) He is an undertaker! (aloud) No — a little unimportant family gathering. Nothing in your line.

Don Alhambra. Somebody's birthday, I suppose?

Gianetta.