Scene VII.

PRINCE.

Instantly, instantly. Where is it? (_Turns to the portrait_) On the ground! That was too bad. (_Takes it up_) But look! And yet I will look at thee no more now. Why should I plunge the arrow deeper into the wound? (_Lays it on the table_). I have suffered and sighed long enough--longer than I ought, but done nothing, and my listless inactivity had nearly ruined all.--And may not all yet be lost? May not Marinelli fail? Why should I rely on him alone?--It occurs to me that at this hour (_looks at his watch_) at this very hour, the pious girl daily attends mass at the church of the Dominicans. How, if I attempted to address her there? But to-day--the day of her marriage--her heart will be occupied with other things than mass. Yet, who knows?--'tis but a step--(_rings, and whilst he hastily arranges the papers on the table_)--

_Enter_ Servant.

My carriage!--Have none of the council arrived?

SERVANT.

Camillo Rota waits without.

PRINCE.

Admit him. (_Exit_ Servant). But he must not attempt to detain me long. Not now--another time, I will attend to his scrupulous investigations----There was a petition of one Emilia Bruneschi--here it is--but, good Bruneschi, if your intercessor----