.

I do know her--though our acquaintance only began to-day. Emilia
Galotti! Answer me seriously. Is Emilia Galotti the unfortunate lady
whom the Prince is consoling?

MARINELLI (_aside_).

Can I have disclosed too much?

ORSINA.

And Count Appiani was her destined bridegroom--Count Appiani, who was
shot to-day?

MARINELLI.

Exactly.

ORSINA (_clapping her hands_).

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

MARINELLI.

What now?

ORSINA.

I could kiss the devil that tempted him to do it.

MARINELLI.

Whom? Tempted? To do what?

ORSINA.

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 damned. 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.
Dep