TODD. (_starts_) Another! where the devil do they all come from? GRIM. You are going to marry Marietta? TODD. Well, suppose I am—suppose I intend making that superior young person my wife? GRIM. And suppose I intend making her your widow? TODD. (L. C.) My widow! There’s a dark ferocity in your words that exactly matches your countenance. I remember having seen you in wax at Madame Tussaud’s. What is it you contemplate? GRIM. (R.) Vengeance! (_crosses to_ L.) The man who robs me of Marietta, shall never survive the wedding night! TODD. (R. C.) What an atrocious idea!—but you can’t be serious? GRIM. (_drawing his stiletto_) Feel the point of that stiletto! TODD. No, no!—I can perfectly imagine the sharpness of your Italian irony! GRIM. Hist! they’re coming. Remember—if you marry her— _Lifts his stiletto threateningly and exit_, L. 2 E., _as_ JACOPO _and_ MARIETTA _enter_, R. 2 E. JACO. (R. C.) Well, signor, are you ready to accept my niece? TODD. Why—a—I may say—I have no personal objection—(_looks at her_—_aside_) Positively beautiful!—But there’s a party— MARI. (R., _putting her fingers to her lips_) Hush! TODD. (L. C.) Oh!—ah! (_to_ JACOPO) Allow me to speak a few words to Marietta. JACOPO _makes a gesture of assent_, _and exits_, R. 3 E. I’ve seen the party. MARI. Ah! well;—what did he say? TODD. He said he’d take my life, if I married you. MARI. Then I dare say he’ll keep his word. TODD. Do you really think so?—By his countenance I’d judge him capable of any atrocity. MARI. What do you mean? I’m sure he’s much handsomer than you! TODD. Infatuated female! Perhaps you love him? MARI. I do. TODD. You do. And me? MARI. I hate you. TODD. Then you will decline to marry me? MARI. I must not disobey my uncle;—’tis you who must reject me. TODD. Impossible! your respected relative will put a bullet through my head if I refuse. MARI. And I’ll poison you if you consent. _Re-enter_ JACOPO, R. 3 E., _and_ GRIMBALDI, L. 2 E. JACO. (_coming down_, R. C.) Well, have you decided, signor? TODD. (_looking_, _from one to the other_—_aside_) Poison!—pistol!—dagger! It don’t matter much how they dispose of me. (_in a tragic tone_) Yes! Let fate do its worst—my mind’s made up. (_crosses to_ MARIETTA, R. C., _and takes her hand_) I take Marietta—with all her fatal consequences. JACO. (_getting at back to_ R.) Bravo! Grimbaldi, this is the gallant stranger I have chosen for a husband for Marietta—welcome him as a comrade and a brother! (GRIMBALDI _looks at_ TODD _with a fierce scowl and approaches to embrace him_—TODD _in evident alarm tries to avoid him_) GRIM. (L. _apart while he embraces_ TODD) Vengeance! TODD. (C. _staggering with affright_, _supports himself on_ MARIETTA’S _shoulder_) Murder! JACO. (R.) I see you are growing impatient. TODD. Oh, no! not at all—not in the least. Hadn’t we better postpone the awful ceremony?