Idle controversy! Enough! Tell the Prince what you have heard. Tell him I am sorry I cannot accept the honour, as I to-day intend to solemnize an union which will consummate my happiness. MARINELLI. Will you not at the same time inform him with whom? APPIANI. With Emilia Galotti. MARINELLI. The daughter of this family? APPIANI. Yes. MARINELLI. Humph! APPIANI. What do you mean? MARINELLI. I mean that there would be the less difficulty in deferring the ceremony till your return. APPIANI. The ceremony? MARINELLI. Yes. The worthy parents will not think much about it. APPIANI. The worthy parents? MARINELLI. And Emilia will remain faithful to you, of course. APPIANI. _Of course_?----You are an impertinent ape, with your "of course." MARINELLI. This to me, Count? APPIANI. Why not? MARINELLI. Heaven and hell! You shall hear from me. APPIANI. Pshaw! The ape is malicious, but---- MARINELLI. Death and damnation!--Count, I demand satisfaction. APPIANI. You shall have it. MARINELLI. ----And would insist upon it instantly--but that I should not like to spoil the day for the loving bridegroom. APPIANI. Good--natured creature!--(_seizes his arm_). I own an embassy to Massa does not suit me, but still I have time enough to take a walk with you. Come. MARINELLI (_extricates himself from the_ Count's _grasp_). Patience, my lord, patience! (_Exit_.) Scene XI. Appiani, Claudia. APPIANI. Go, worthless wretch----Ha! that does me good. My blood circulates----I feel different and all the better. CLAUDIA (_hastily and alarmed_). Heavens! My lord--I overheard an angry altercation. Your cheek is flushed. What has happened? APPIANI. Nothing, Madam, nothing. The chamberlain Marinelli has conferred a favour on me. He has saved me a visit to the Prince. CLAUDIA. Indeed! APPIANI. We can therefore leave town earlier. I go to give orders to my people, and shall return immediately. Emilia will, in the meantime, get ready. CLAUDIA. May I feel quite at ease, my lord? APPIANI.