"The name, the name!" The mimic audience shouts, "Bravo!" Nedda: if he doubts her she will go.

"No, by God! You'll remain and tell me the name of your lover!" With a great effort Nedda forces herself to remain in character.

The music, whose tripping dance measures have given way to sinister mutterings in keeping with Canio's mad outbursts, as the mimic play ever and anon threatens to leave its grooves and plunge into the tragic vortex of reality, changes to a gavotte:-- [figure: a musical excerpt] Columbine explains: she had no idea her husband could put on so tragical a mask.

It is only harmless Harlequin who has been her companion.

"The name! The name!! THE NAME!!!" Nedda sees catastrophe approaching and throws her character to the winds.