“Live? Yes. That thou mayest destroy him, duchess. Nay, he will be before thee in another minute.”
“Let him be whom he may, I demand his life, and in my presence, duke. Thou wilt give me thy word for this, my lord?”
“I do, most heartily, dear duchess. I give thee my sacred word.”
Then, to a page, who has entered after the duchess:
“Let the prisoner be brought forward.”
“Duchess, thou tremblest, thou dost know this man.”
This man is Gennaro, brought in before the angry duke and duchess, and standing fearlessly.
“I—I do not know him.”
“Pray, may I ask the duke why I am here—why I have been torn from my house? May I dare to ask the meaning of such rigor?”
“Good captain—draw near. Some coward wretch has dared to touch the noble name of Borgia written on this palace door, nay, to destroy the name. The duchess, even as I speak, trembles with anger at the act. We seek the guilty one; perhaps thou knowest him?”