ANTONIO       Lend me the letter. Let me see what news.

PROTEUS       There is no news, my lord, but that he writes

How happily he lives, how well-beloved,

And, daily graced by the Emperor,

Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune.

ANTONIO And how stand you affected to his wish?

PROTEUS As one relying on your lordship’s will,

And not depending on his friendly wish.   (1.3.55-62)

Oh great, says Antonio, let me see: lend me the letter. Let me see what news. Ah. Proteus has to continue in his lie: er, there is no news my lord—nothing in particular, nothing to see here—but that he writes how happily he lives, how well-beloved: he’s having a great time! loving it, and everyone loves him too. Couldn’t be better! Even more, he’s daily graced by the Emperor—he’s really made a good impression; he’s become a particular favourite with the boss, such that he wishes me with him, partner of his fortune. If only you were here with me, he’s saying, so that we could both be favoured by the Emperor, so that I could share it all with him! Dig dig dig. There might be a speaking look between Antonio and Pantino—yes, that’s exactly why Proteus should be sent to Milan, Valentine’s getting ahead, it’s the place to be, just as we thought, to get a leg-up in the world—so, and how stand you affected to his wish?Antonio asks his son. What do you think about that? Would you like to make Valentine’s wish come true? Dig dig dig. Oh, it’s not up to me, says Proteus, I am an obedient son, and it’s really entirely your call: I am as one relying on your lordship’s will, and not depending on his friendly wish. It’s not a question of what my best friend wants, or what I want—it’s up to you! AH. Proteus’s lies, initially innocuous, made worse by his protestations of being a dutiful, obedient son, are about to come back to bite him. Does he even realise, yet, what’s going on here?