MARINELLI.

I am sorry to interfere with the condescension of my Prince, but friendship commands that I should make an appeal to him as judge.

PRINCE.

What friendship?

MARINELLI.

Your Highness knows how sincerely I was attached to Count Appiani--how our souls were interwoven----

ODOARDO.

Does his Highness know that? Then you are indeed the only one who does know it.

MARINELLI.

Appointed his avenger by himself----

ODOARDO.

You?

MARINELLI.

Ask your wife. The name of Marinelli was the last word of the dying Count, and was uttered in such a tone----Oh may that dreadful tone sound in my ears for ever, if I do not strain every nerve to discover and to punish his murderers!

PRINCE.

Rely upon my utmost aid.

ODOARDO.

And upon my most fervent wishes. All this is well. But what further?

PRINCE.

That I, too, want to know, Marinelli.

MARINELLI.

It is suspected that the Count was not attacked by robbers----

ODOARDO (_with a sneer_).

Indeed!

MARINELLI.

But that a rival hired a.s.sa.s.sins to despatch him.

ODOARDO (_bitterly_).

Indeed! A rival?

MARINELLI.

Exactly.

ODOARDO.

Well then--May d.a.m.nation overtake the vile a.s.sa.s.sin!

MARINELLI.

A rival--a favoured rival too.

ODOARDO.

How? Favoured? What say you?

MARINELLI.

Nothing but what fame reports.

ODOARDO.

Favoured? favoured by my daughter?

MARINELLI.

Certainly not. That cannot be. Were you to say it I would contradict it. But, on this account, your Highness, though no prejudice, however well-grounded, can be of any weight in the scale of justice, it will, nevertheless, be absolutely necessary that the unfortunate lady should be examined.

PRINCE.

True--undoubtedly.

MARINELLI.

And where can this be done but in Guastalla?

PRINCE.

There you are right, Marinelli, there you are right.--This alters the affair, dear Galotti. Is it not so. You yourself must see----

ODOARDO.

Yes! I see----what I see. O G.o.d! O G.o.d!