CLAUDIA (_looks round, and as soon as she espies her husband, runs towards him_.) I was right. Our protector, our deliverer! Are you really here? Do I indeed behold you, Odoardo? From their whisper and their manner I knew it was the case. What shall I say to you, if you are still ignorant? What shall I say to you if you already know everything? But we are innocent. I am innocent. Your daughter is innocent. Innocent; wholly innocent. ODOARDO (_who, on seeing his wife, has endeavoured to compose himself_). 'Tis well. Be calm, and answer me.--(_To_ Orsina)--Not that I doubt your information, Madam. Is the Count dead? CLAUDIA. He is. ODOARDO. Is it true that the Prince spoke this morning to Emilia, at the church? CLAUDIA. It is; but if you knew how much she was alarmed--with what terror she rushed home. ORSINA. Now, was my information false? ODOARDO (_with a bitter laugh_). I would not that it were! For worlds I would not that it were! ORSINA. Am I a lunatic? ODOARDO (_wildly pacing the apartment_). Oh!--nor as yet am I. CLAUDIA. You commanded me to be calm, and I obeyed--My dear husband, may I--may I entreat---- ODOARDO. What do you mean? Am I not calm? Who can be calmer than I? (_Putting restraint upon himself_.) Does Emilia know that Appiani is dead? CLAUDIA. She cannot know it, but I fear that she suspects it, because he does not appear. ODOARDO. And she weeps and sobs. CLAUDIA. No more. That is over, like her nature, which you know. She is the most timid, yet the most resolute of her sex; incapable of governing her first emotions, but upon the least reflection calm and prepared for all. She keeps the Prince at a distance--she speaks to him in a tone----Let us, dear Odoardo, depart immediately. ODOARDO. I came on horseback hither. What is to be done? You, Madam, will probably return to town? ORSINA. Immediately. ODOARDO. May I request you to take my wife with you. ORSINA. With pleasure. ODOARDO. Claudia, this is the Countess Orsina, a lady of sound sense, my friend and benefactress. Accompany her to town, and send our carriage hither instantly. Emilia must not return to Guastalla. She shall go with me. CLAUDIA. But--if only--I am unwilling to part from the child. ODOARDO.