Scene III.

Marinelli, Odoardo.

MARINELLI.

We have been looking for you, Sir.

ODOARDO.

Has my daughter been here?

MARINELLI.

No; the Prince.

ODOARDO.

I beg his pardon. I have been conducting the Countess to her carriage.

MARINELLI.

Indeed.

ODOARDO.

A good lady!

MARINELLI.

And where is your lady?

ODOARDO.

She accompanied the Countess that she might send my carriage hither. I
would request the Prince to let me stay with my daughter till it
arrives.

MARINELLI.

Why this ceremony? The Prince would have felt pleasure in conducting
your daughter and her mother to town.

ODOARDO.

My daughter at least would have been obliged to decline that honour.

MARINELLI.

Why so?

ODOARDO.

She will not go to Guastalla again.

MARINELLI.

Indeed! Why not?

ODOARDO.

Count Appiani is dead.

MARINELLI.

For that very reason----

ODOARDO.

She must go with me.

MARINELLI.

With you?

ODOARDO.

With me.--I tell you the Count is dead--though she may not know it.
What therefore has she to do in Guastalla? She must go with me.

MARINELLI.

The future residence of the lady must certainly depend upon her
father--but at present----

ODOARDO.

Well? What?

MARINELLI.

At present, sir, you will, I hope, allow her to be conveyed to
Guastalla.

ODOARDO.

My daughter, conveyed to Guastalla? Why so?

MARINELLI.

Why! Consider----

ODOARDO (_incensed_).

Consider! consider! consider that there is nothing to consider. She
must and shall go with me.

MARINELLI.

We need have no contention on the subject, sir. I may be mistaken. What
I think