You have curiosity enough--but I will satisfy it. All happened as I wished. You need take no further trouble, my most serviceable friend. She met my proposal more than half way. I ought to have taken her with me instantly. (_In a cold and commanding tone_.) Now you have heard what you wished to know, and may depart. MARINELLI. And may depart! Yes, yes. Thus the song ends, and so 'twould be were I to attempt the impossible. The impossible, did I say? No. Impossible it is not--only a daring attempt. Had we the girl in our power, I would answer for it that no marriage should take place. PRINCE. Ay--you would answer for anything. I suppose, for instance, you would like to take a troop of my guards, lie in ambush by the highway, fall to the number of fifty upon one carriage, and bear the girl in triumph to me. MARINELLI. A girl has been carried off before now by force, though there has been no appearance of force in the transaction.---- PRINCE. If you were able to do this, you would not talk so much about it. MARINELLI. ----But I cannot be answerable for the consequences. Unforeseen accidents may happen. PRINCE. Is it my custom to make people answerable for what they cannot help? MARINELLI. Therefore your Highness will--(_a pistol is fired at a distance_). Ha! What was that? Did not my ears deceive me? Did not your Highness also hear a shot. And hark! Another! PRINCE. What means this? What is the matter? MARINELLI. How if I were more active than you deemed me? PRINCE. More active! Explain, then---- MARINELLI. In short, what I mentioned is now taking place. PRINCE. Is it possible? MARINELLI. But forget not, Prince, what you just now promised. You pledge your word that---- PRINCE. The necessary precautions I hope have been taken. MARINELLI. Yes, as carefully as possible. The execution of my plan is entrusted to people on whom I can rely. The road, as you know, runs close by your park fence. There the carriage will be attacked by a party, apparently to rob the travellers. Another band (one of whom is my trusty servant) will rush from the park as if to assist those who are attacked. During the sham battle between the two parties, my servant will seize Emilia, as if to rescue her, and bring her through the park into the palace. This is the plan. What says your Highness now? PRINCE. You surprise me beyond measure. A fearful anxiety comes o'er me. (Marinelli _walks to the window_.) What are you looking at?