Scene V.
The Prince, Emilia, and Marinellies.
PRINCE.
Where is she? Where is she?--We have sought you everywhere, dear lady.--You are well, I hope? Now, all is well. The Count and your mother----
EMILIA.
Oh, your Highness! Where are they? Where is my mother?
PRINCE.
Not far off, close at hand.
EMILIA.
Heavens! In what a situation shall I perhaps find one or other of them! For your Highness conceals from me--I perceive----
PRINCE.
I conceal nothing, be assured. Lean on my arm, and accompany me to them without fear.
EMILIA (irresolute).
But--if they be not wounded--if my suspicions be not true--why are they not already here?
PRINCE.
Hasten then, that all these sad apprehensions may at once be banished.
EMILIA.
What shall I do? (wrings her hands).
PRINCE.
How, dear lady! Can you harbour any suspicion against me?
EMILIA (falls at his feet).
On my knees I entreat you----
PRINCE (raising her).
I am quite ashamed.--Yes, Emilia, I deserve this mute reproach. My conduct this morning cannot be justified, or even excused. Pardon my weakness: I ought not to have made you uneasy by an avowal, from which I could expect no advantage. I was amply punished by the speechless agitation with which you listened to it, or rather did not listen to it. And if I might be allowed to think this accident the signal of more favourable fortune--the most wondrous respite of my final sentence--this accident, which allows me to behold and speak to you again before my hopes for ever vanish--this accident, which gives me an opportunity of imploring your forgiveness--yet will I--do not tremble--yet will I rely only and entirely on your looks. Not a sigh, not a syllable shall offend you. Only wound me not with suspicions--do not for a moment doubt the unbounded influence which you possess over me--only imagine not that you need any protection against me. And now come--come where delights more in harmony with your feelings, await you. (Leads her away, not without opposition.) Follow us, Marinelli.
(Exeunt Prince and Emilia.)
MARINELLI.
Follow us! That means of course--Follow us not. And why should I follow them? He will now find how far he can proceed with her, without witnesses. All that I have to do is to prevent intrusion. From the Count I no longer expect it--but from her mother. Wonderful, indeed, would it be, were she to have departed quietly, leaving her daughter unprotected. Well, Battista, what now?
Scene VI.
Battista and Marinelli.
BATTISTA (in haste).
The mother, my lord chamberlain----
MARINELLI.
As I suspected. Where is she?
BATTISTA.
She will be here immediately, unless you prevent it. When you ordered me to pretend to look for her, I felt little inclination to do so. But in the distance I heard her shrieks. She is in search of her daughter, and will discover the whole plot. All the people who inhabit this retired spot have gathered round her, and each vies with his neighbour to show her the way. Whether she has been told that you are here, or that the Prince is here, I know not. What is to be done?
MARINELLI.
Let us see (considering). Refuse her admittance when she knows that her daughter is here? That will not do. She will certainly open her eyes when she finds her lambkin in the clutches of the wolf. Eyes! They would be of little consequence; but Heaven have mercy on our ears! Well, well. A woman's lungs are not inexhaustible. She will be silent, when she can shriek no longer. Besides, the mother it is whom we should gain over to our side--and if I be a judge of mothers--to be a sort of prince's step--mother would flatter most of them. Let her come, Battista, let her come.
BATTISTA.
Hark, my lord!
CLAUDIA (within).
Emilia! Emilia! My child! Where are you?
MARINELLI.
Go, Battista, and use your endeavours to dismiss her inquisitive companions.