Yonder castle he must keep.

It is the key of all his other territories.

Without it, his position will be insecure.
(Allusion to the Austrian argument that the plains of Lombardy are the strategic defensive lines of the Alps.) Agostino, pursued by his terror of anticlimax, ran from the sight of Vittoria when she was called, after the fall of the curtain.

He made his way to Rocco Ricci (who had given his bow to the public from his perch), and found the maestro drinking Asti to counteract his natural excitement.

Rocco told Agostino, that up to the last moment, neither he nor any soul behind the scenes knew Vittoria would be able to appear, except that she had sent a note to him with a pledge to be in readiness for the call.