Mari. I must not disobey my uncle;—’tis you who must reject me.
Todd. Impossible! your respected relative will put a bullet through my head if I refuse.
Mari. And I’ll poison you if you consent.
Re-enter Jacopo, R. 3 E., and Grimbaldi, L. 2 E.
Jaco. (coming down, R. C.) Well, have you decided, signor?
Todd. (looking, from one to the other—aside) Poison!—pistol!—dagger! It don’t matter much how they dispose of me. (in a tragic tone) Yes! Let fate do its worst—my mind’s made up. (crosses to Marietta, R. C., and takes her hand) I take Marietta—with all her fatal consequences.
Jaco. (getting at back to R.) Bravo! Grimbaldi, this is the gallant stranger I have chosen for a husband for Marietta—welcome him as a comrade and a brother! (Grimbaldi looks at Todd with a fierce scowl and approaches to embrace him—Todd in evident alarm tries to avoid him)
Grim. (L. apart while he embraces Todd) Vengeance!
Todd. (C. staggering with affright, supports himself on Marietta’s shoulder) Murder!
Jaco. (R.) I see you are growing impatient.