You are jesting, Count.

APPIANI.

With you?

MARINELLI.

Incomparable! If with the Prince, the joke is so much the merrier.--You cannot?

APPIANI.

No, my lord, no--and I trust that the Prince himself will think my excuse sufficient.

MARINELLI.

I am eager to hear it.

APPIANI.

Oh, it is a mere trifle. I mean to be married to-day.

MARINELLI.

Indeed!--and what then?

APPIANI.

And what then?--Your question shows a cursed simplicity!

MARINELLI.

There are examples, Count, of marriages having been deferred. I do not mean to infer that the delay was pleasant to the bride and bridegroom.

To them it was, no doubt, a trial, yet the sovereign's command----

APPIANI.

Sovereign's command? A sovereign of my own option, I am not so strictly bound to obey. I admit that you owe the Prince absolute obedience, but not I. I came to his court a volunteer. I wished to enjoy the honour of serving him, but not of being his slave. I am the va.s.sal of a greater sovereign.

MARINELLI.

Greater or smaller, a monarch is a monarch.

APPIANI.

Idle controversy! Enough! Tell the Prince what you have heard. Tell him I am sorry I cannot accept the honour, as I to-day intend to solemnize an union which will consummate my happiness.

MARINELLI.

Will you not at the same time inform him with whom?

APPIANI.

With Emilia Galotti.

MARINELLI.

The daughter of this family?

APPIANI.

Yes.

MARINELLI.

Humph!

APPIANI.

What do you mean?

MARINELLI.

I mean that there would be the less difficulty in deferring the ceremony till your return.

APPIANI.

The ceremony?

MARINELLI.

Yes. The worthy parents will not think much about it.

APPIANI.

The worthy parents?

MARINELLI.

And Emilia will remain faithful to you, of course.

APPIANI.

_Of course_?----You are an impertinent ape, with your "of course."

MARINELLI.

This to me, Count?

APPIANI.