Falieri.--You are a daring fellow, Contarino.
Contarino.--Here was no time to be lost. I instantly threw my purse
on the table, promised them mountains of gold, and fixed on
particular days, hours, and signals which were necessary to
facilitate our future intercourse. For the present I only required
that Manfrone, Conari, and Lomellino should be removed with all
possible expedition.
All.--Bravo.
Contarino.--So far everything went exactly as we could have wished,
and one of my new associates was just setting out to guide me home,
when we were surprised by an unexpected visit.
Parozzi.--Well?
Memmo (anxiously).--Go on, for God's sake!
Contarino.--A knocking was heard at the door; the girl went to
inquire the cause. In an instant she returned pale as a corpse, and
"Fly! fly!" cried she.
Falieri.--What followed?
Contarino.--Why then followed a whole legion of sbirri and police-
officers, and who should be at their head but the Florentine
stranger.
All.--Flodoardo? What, Flodoardo?
Contarino.--Flodoardo.
Falieri.--What demon could have guided him thither?
Parozzi.--Hell and furies! Oh, that I had been there.
Memmo.--There, now, Parozzi, you see at least that Flodoardo is no
coward.
Falieri.--Hush, let us hear the rest.
Contarino.--We stood as if we had been petrified; not a soul could
stir a finger. "In the name of the Doge and the Republic," cried
Flodoardo, "yield yourselves and deliver your arms.
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