The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 68

Yes, I could kiss--him--even wert thou that devil, Marinelli.

MARINELLI.

Countess!

ORSINA.

Come hither. Look at me--steadfastly--eye to eye.

MARINELLI.

Well?

ORSINA.

Know you not my thoughts?

MARINELLI.

How can I?

ORSINA.

Have you no concern in it?

MARINELLI.

In what?

ORSINA.

Swear. No, do not swear, for that might be another crime. But yes--swear. One sin more or less is of no consequence to a man who is already d.a.m.ned. Have you no concern in it?

MARINELLI.

You alarm me, Countess.

ORSINA.

Indeed! Now, Marinelli--has your good heart no suspicion?

MARINELLI.

Suspicion? Of what?

ORSINA.

'Tis well. Then I will entrust you with a secret--a secret, which will make each hair upon your head stand on end. But here, so near the door, some one might overhear us. Come here--(_puts her finger to her mouth_)--mark me, it is a secret--a profound secret. (_Places her mouth to his ear, as if about to whisper, and shouts as loudly as she can_) The Prince is a murderer!

MARINELLI.

Countess! Countess! Have you lost your senses?

ORSINA.

Senses? Ha! ha! ha! (_laughing loudly_). I have very seldom, if ever, been so satisfied with my understanding as I am at this moment.

Depend upon it, Marinelli--but it is between ourselves--(_in a low voice_)--the Prince is a murderer--the murderer of Count Appiani. The Count was a.s.sa.s.sinated, not by robbers, but by the Prince's myrmidons, by the Prince himself.

MARINELLI.

How can so horrid a suspicion fall from your lips, or enter your imagination?

ORSINA.

How? Very naturally. This Emilia Galotti, who is now in the palace, and whose bridegroom--was thus trundled head over heels out of the world--this Emilia Galotti did the Prince to-day accost in the Church of the Dominicans, and held a lengthy conversation with her. That I know, for my spies not only saw it, but heard what he said. Now, sir, have I lost my senses? Methinks I connect the attendant circ.u.mstances very tolerably together. Or has all this happened, too, by accident? If so, Marinelli, you have as little idea of the wickedness of man as you have of prevision.

MARINELLI.

Countess, you would talk your life into danger----

ORSINA.

Were I to mention this to others? So much the better! So much the better! To-morrow I will repeat it aloud in the market-place--and, if any one contradict me--if any one contradict me, he was the murderer's accomplice. Farewell. (_As she is going, she meets_ Odoardo _entering hastily_.)

Scene VI.

Odoardo, Orsina, Marinelli.

ODOARDO.

Pardon me, gracious lady----

ORSINA.

I can grant no pardon here, for I can take no offence. You must apply to this gentleman (_pointing to_ Marinelli).

MARINELLI (_aside_).

The father! This completes the business.

ODOARDO.

Pardon a father, sir, who is in the greatest embarra.s.sment, for entering unannounced.

ORSINA.

Father!--(_turning round again_)--Of Emilia, no doubt! Ha! Thou art welcome.