But it appeared that, if we kept good watch on him, others had been
keeping better; for, five minutes later, as we stood debating whether
to follow him into the theatre, Marc'antonio and Stephanu emerged
from its portico and came towards us.
"O Princess," said Marc'antonio, "we have seen him at length and had
word with him. When we told him that you were here in Genoa, he
looked at us for a moment like a man distraught--did he not,
Stephanu?"
"One would have said he was going to faint," Stephanu corroborated.
"I think, with all his faults, he is terrified for your sake, for the
risk you run. He implored us to get you away from the city; and when
we told him it was impossible, he sent word that he would come to you
after the play, and himself try to persuade you. We dared not let
him know where we lodged, for fear of treachery; so, being hurried,
we appointed the street by the Weavers' Gate, where, if you will meet
him, masked, a little after nine o'clock, Stephanu and I will be
near--in case of accidents--and doubtless the Cavalier also."
"Did he say anything of the crown, O Marc'antonio?"
"No, Princess, for we had not time.
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