That salvo,
sirs, was fired, five minutes ago, by the Genoese."
"A 'salvo' did you say, cavalier?"
"For our wedding, Marc'antonio." I took the Princess's hand--which
neither yielded nor resisted--and lifting it a little way, released
it to fall again limply. So for a while there was silence between us
four.
"Marc'antonio," said I, "and you, Stephanu--it is I now who speak for
the Princess and decide for her; and I decide that you, who have
served her faithfully, deserve to be told all the truth. It is
truth, then, that we are married. The priest who married us was
Fra Domenico, and with assent of his master the Prince Camillo.
I can give you, moreover, the name of the chief witness: he is a
certain Signor or General Andrea Fornari, and commands the Genoese
garrison in Nonza."
"Princess!" Marc'antonio implored her.
"It is true," said she. "This gentleman has done me much honour,
having heard what my brother chose to say."
"But I do not comprehend!" The honest fellow cast a wild look around
the clearing. "Ah, yes-the volley! They have taken the Prince, and
shot him .
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