Paulo
(Facing him.) I prefer plain spoken language from a man—even though he be patron.
Lucia
Oh, guard your tongue at least! The Prince is patient with us.
Medici
(Softly.) You robbed me once of beauty I desired. You fled from Florence. I accepted with a smile, and did not bestir myself to follow and prevent—as I could well have done. I was too kind, perhaps——
Lucia
(Breaks in.) But, great Prince, you—you have forgotten all that. You swore——
Medici
(To her.) The sight of beauty stirs my memory again. (Suggestively.) For beauty grows, it seems. (Smiles admiringly.)