"Do you not know better than to express wishes for things impossible to happen? Have you no better advice than this for me?—Nothing, nothing. Are you a man, or only the echo of a cave?"
"Did you not say, it must be done? How can you expect servants to advise, when they know that the master would hold their advices as a resistance to his own desires?"
"Titta, you are right;—with me you always have the grave offence of being in the right.... Is all that I ordered ready?..."
"Everything ... you may see for yourself ... by looking up...."
"It is all right ... no matter ... I trust you...." And instead of raising his eyes he fixed them on the floor. "Now take these two hounds, and go as silently as you can to the room of the Duchess; knock softly ... and say to her ..." and he whispered in his ear. Titta nodded assent. The Duke then said in his usual voice:
"Using courteous words; in a pleasant manner. Do you understand?... Go now...."
But as Titta made some delay, he repeated:
"Go!..."
Titta took the hounds, but before he crossed the threshold of the door he stopped, and turning towards the Duke, said slowly:
"Must I go, my Lord?"