human
Good evening, Signora Dias,
gpt
Good evening. You've not gone to the farewell dance at the Vittoria?
human
I have no farewells to give except to you.
gpt
Farewell, then,
human
Farewell, he murmured, smiling, and looking into her eyes.
gpt
But we shall meet again within a fortnight.
human
I don't know whether I shall be receiving so soon. I don't know whether I shall receive at all.
gpt
You're going to shut your doors to me?
human
Not to you only, to everybody. I'm not made for society. I'm out of place in it, out of tune with it. Solitude suits me better.
gpt
You will die of loneliness. Seeing a few devoted friends will do you good.
human
My troubles are too deep.
gpt
Don't you think you're a little selfish? If you shut your doors, others will suffer, and you don't care. You are willing to deprive us of the great pleasure of seeing you. But don't you know that the pain we give reacts upon ourselves? Don't be selfish.
human
It's true. I'm perhaps selfish. But who of us is perfect? The most innocent, the purest people in the world, can make others unhappy, without wishing to.
gpt
Sorrento has bored you?
human
Not exactly bored me. I have been unhappy here.
gpt
More unhappy than at Naples?
human
More than at Naples.
gpt
And why?
human
I don't know. I carry my unhappiness with me.
gpt
Did you imagine that Sorrento would make over the man you love?
human
I hoped----
gpt
Nothing can make that man over. He's not bad perhaps; but he's what he is.
human
It's true.
gpt
Why, then, do you seek the impossible?
human
And you--aren't you seeking the impossible?
gpt
Yes. But I stop at wishing for it. You see how reasonable I am. You are sad, very sad, Anna, and not for my sake, for another's; yet I should be so happy if I could help you or comfort you in any way.
human
Thank you, thank you,
gpt
I believe that dark days are waiting for you at Naples. I don't wish to prophesy evil, Anna, but that is my belief.
human
I'm sure of it,
gpt
Well, will you treat me as a friend, and remember me in your moments of pain?
human
Yes, I will remember you.
gpt
Will you call me to you?
human
I will call upon you as upon a brother.
gpt
Listen, Anna. Officially I live with my mother in our old family palace. But my real home is the Rey Villa in the Chiatamone. I promise you, Anna, that I am speaking to you now, as I would speak to my dearest sister. Remember this, that, beginning a fortnight hence, I will wait there every day till four o'clock in the afternoon, to hear from you. I shall be quite alone in the house, Anna. You can come without fear, if you need me. Or you can send for me. My dearest hope will be in some way to serve you. I will obey you like a slave. Anna, Anna, when your hour of trouble arrives, remember that I am waiting for you. When you have need of a friend's help, remember that I am waiting.
human
But why do you give me your life like this?
gpt
Because it is good to give it thus. You, if you loved, would you not do the same?
human
I would do the same. I would give my life.
gpt
You see! But forget that word love; it escaped me involuntarily. It is not the man who loves you, it is the devoted friend, it is the brother, whom you are to remember. My every day will be at your disposal. I swear that no unhallowed thought shall move me.
human
I believe you,