See, standing there, in that splendid royal room, are the duke and Rustighello, who had stood watching Gennaro’s house.
“Well?”
“All is done, sire. The prisoner is now within the palace.”
Keeping his eyes fixed upon the other’s face, the duke drew from his waist a small golden key. “’Tis to unlock the hidden door of a hidden staircase, to be crept up, till a little chamber is reached. Then there are two vases, one of gold, and one of silver, each filled with wine, to be brought down, carried to the next room, and there be ready. Let not the golden vase tempt him, for it holds the wine of the Borgias. Then, if he be called, let him bring the vases; but if there be no call, then, good Rustighello, thy sword.”
Then this mighty duke starts as a servant at the door announces “the Duchess.”
Forward she comes, sparkling with rage and diamonds; no longer dressed in heavy black, but in rich rustling brocade, a sweeping coronet of jewels round her head.
“The duchess seems unquiet.”
“Enraged. I come here to call for justice. A shameful crime hath been committed, the name of thy duchess has been degraded.”
“Softly, duchess, I know it.”
“And thou dost not punish the offender; doth he still live?”