Marinelli, Appiani.
APPIANI.
Now, my lord?
MARINELLI.
I come from his Highness.
APPIANI.
What are his commands?
MARINELLI.
I am proud to be the bearer of this distinguished favour; and if Count
Appiani will not wilfully misunderstand one of his most devoted
friends----
APPIANI.
Proceed, I pray, without more ceremony.
MARINELLI.
I will. The Prince is obliged to send an ambassador immediately to the
Duke of Massa respecting his marriage with the Princess his daughter.
He was long undetermined whom to appoint, till his choice at last has
fallen upon you, my lord.
APPIANI.
Upon me?
MARINELLI.
Yes--and if friendship may be allowed to boast, I was instrumental----
APPIANI.
Truly I am at a loss for thanks. I had long renounced the hope of being
noticed by the Prince.
MARINELLI.
I am sure he only waited for a proper opportunity, and if the present
mission be not sufficiently worthy of Count Appiani, I own my
friendship has been too precipitate.
APPIANI.
Friendship, friendship! every third word. With whom am I speaking? The
Marquis Marinelli's friendship I never dreamt of gaining.
MARINELLI.
I acknowledge my fault, Count Appiani, my unpardonable fault in wishing
to be your friend without your permission. But what of that? The favour
of his Highness, and the dignity he offers, remain the same. I do not
doubt you will accept them with pleasure.
APPIANI (_after some consideration_).
Undoubtedly.
MARINELLI.
Come, then, with me.
APPIANI.
Whither?
MARINELLI.
To the Prince's palace at Dosalo. All is ready. You must depart to-day.
APPIANI.
What say you? To-day?
MARINELLI.
Yes. Rather now than an hour hence. The business presses.
APPIANI.
Indeed! Then I am sorry I must decline the honour which the Prince
intended to confer upon me.
MARINELLI.
How?
APPIANI.
I cannot depart to-day,--nor to-morrow--nor the next day.
MARINELLI.
You are jesting, Count.
APPIANI.
With you?
MARINELLI.
Incomparable! If with the Prince, the joke is so much the merrier.--You
cannot?
APPIANI.
No, my lord, no--and I trust that the Prince himself will think my
excuse sufficient.
MARINELLI.
I am eager to hear it.
APPIANI.
Oh, it is a mere trifle. I mean to be married to-day.
MARINELLI.
Indeed!--and what then?
APPIANI.
And what then?--Your question shows a cursed simplicity!
MARINELLI.
There are examples, Count, of marriages having been deferred. I do not
mean to infer that the delay was pleasant to the bride and bridegroom.
To them it was, no doubt, a trial, yet the sovereign's command----
APPIANI.
Sovereign's command? A sovereign of my own option, I am not so strictly
bound to obey. I admit that you owe the Prince absolute obedience, but
not I. I came to his court a volunteer. I wished to enjoy the honour of
serving him, but not of being his slave. I am the vassal of a greater
sovereign.
MARINELLI.
Greater or smaller, a monarch is a monarch.
APPIANI.
Idle controversy! Enough! Tell the Prince what you have heard. Tell him
I am sorry I cannot accept the honour, as I to-day intend to solemnize
an union which will consummate my happiness.
MARINELLI.
Will you not at the same time inform him with whom?
APPIANI.
With Emilia Galotti.
MARINELLI.
The daughter of this family?
APPIANI.
Yes.
MARINELLI.
Humph!
APPIANI.
What do you mean?
MARINELLI.
I mean that there would be the less difficulty in deferring the
ceremony till your return.
APPIANI.
The ceremony?
MARINELLI.
Yes. The worthy parents will not think much about it.
APPIANI.
The worthy parents?
MARINELLI.
And Emilia will remain faithful to you, of course.
APPIANI.
_Of course_?----You are an impertinent ape, with your "of course."
MARINELLI.
This to me, Count?
APPIANI.
Why not?
MARINELLI.
Heaven and hell! You shall hear from me.
APPIANI.
Pshaw! The ape is malicious, but----
MARINELLI.
Death and damnation!--Count, I demand satisfaction.
APPIANI.
You shall have it.
MARINELLI.
----And would insist upon it instantly--but that I should not like to
spoil the day for the loving bridegroom.
APPIANI.
Good--natured creature!--(_seizes his arm_). I own an embassy to Massa
does not suit me, but still I have time enough to take a walk with you.
Come.
MARINELLI (_extricates himself from the_ Count's _grasp_).
Patience, my lord, patience! (_Exit_.)