Scene III.
Marinelli, Odoardo.
MARINELLI.
We have been looking for you, Sir.
ODOARDO.
Has my daughter been here?
MARINELLI.
No; the Prince.
ODOARDO.
I beg his pardon. I have been conducting the Countess to her carriage.
MARINELLI.
Indeed.
ODOARDO.
A good lady!
MARINELLI.
And where is your lady?
ODOARDO.
She accompanied the Countess that she might send my carriage hither. I would request the Prince to let me stay with my daughter till it arrives.
MARINELLI.
Why this ceremony? The Prince would have felt pleasure in conducting your daughter and her mother to town.
ODOARDO.
My daughter at least would have been obliged to decline that honour.
MARINELLI.
Why so?
ODOARDO.
She will not go to Guastalla again.
MARINELLI.
Indeed! Why not?
ODOARDO.
Count Appiani is dead.
MARINELLI.
For that very reason----
ODOARDO.
She must go with me.
MARINELLI.
With you?
ODOARDO.
With me.--I tell you the Count is dead--though she may not know it. What therefore has she to do in Guastalla? She must go with me.
MARINELLI.
The future residence of the lady must certainly depend upon her father--but at present----
ODOARDO.
Well? What?
MARINELLI.
At present, sir, you will, I hope, allow her to be conveyed to Guastalla.
ODOARDO.
My daughter, conveyed to Guastalla? Why so?
MARINELLI.
Why! Consider----
ODOARDO (incensed).
Consider! consider! consider that there is nothing to consider. She must and shall go with me.
MARINELLI.
We need have no contention on the subject, sir. I may be mistaken. What I think necessary may not be so. The Prince is the best judge--he, therefore, will decide. I go to bring him to you.
Scene IV.
Odoardo.
ODOARDO.
How? Never! Prescribe to me whether she shall go! Withhold her from me! Who will do this?--Who dares attempt it?--He, who dares here do anything he pleases?----'Tis well, 'tis well. Then shall he see how much I, too, dare, and whether I have not already dared. Short-sighted voluptuary! I defy thee.--He who regards no law is as independent as he who is subject to no law. Knowest thou not this? Come on, come on----But what am I saying? My temper once more overpowers my reason. What do I want? I should first know why I rave. What will not a courtier assert? Better had I allowed him to proceed. I should have heard his pretext for conveying my daughter to Guastalla, and I could have prepared a proper reply. But can I need a reply!--Should one fail me--should----I hear footsteps. I will be calm.