"Read this!"
He reads it and falls on his knees, he sobs, he almost dies of joy.
"Give me back the paper," says the Duchessa.
She burns it over a candle.
"My name," she tells him, "must not appear. If you are taken and executed, if you are weak, I may be also, and Fabrizio would be in danger. I wish you to sacrifice yourself."
"I will perform the task faithfully, punctually and prudently."
"If I am discovered and convicted," the Duchessa goes on proudly, "I do not wish to be accused of having corrupted you. Do not put him to death until I give the signal. That signal will be the flooding of the streets of Parma, of which you are bound to hear."
Ferrante, delighted by the Duchessa's tone of authority, takes his leave. When he has gone, the Duchessa calls him back.
"Ferrante, sublime man!"
He returns.