human
Gesu mio! he exclaimed.
gpt
And you tell me that so calmly, so quietly!
human
What would you have me do? Moan and groan about it?
gpt
But you are a woman ... a woman to revere and respect! he cried.
human
How does Van der Staal take it?
gpt
He is a bit depressed, of course. He has never known money trouble. And it hinders him from employing his full talent. But I hope to help him bear up during this difficult time. So you see, prince, that I can't come to San Stefano.
human
But why didn't you write to us? Why not ask us for money?
gpt
It is very nice of you to say that, but the idea never even occurred to us.
human
Too proud?
gpt
Yes, too proud.
human
But what a position to be in! What can I do for you? May I give you two hundred lire? I have two hundred lire on me. And I will tell Urania that I gave it to you.
gpt
No, thank you, prince. I am very grateful to you, but I can't accept it.
human
Not from me?
gpt
No.
human
Not from Urania?
gpt
Not from her either.
human
Why not?
gpt
I want to earn my money and I can't accept alms.
human
A fine principle. But for the moment ...
gpt
I remain true to it.
human
Will you allow me to tell you something?
gpt
What?
human
I admire you. More than that: I love you.
gpt
Why mayn't I tell you so? An Italian does not keep his love concealed. I love you. You are more beautiful and nobler and superior to anything that I could ever imagine any woman to be.... Don't be angry with me: I am not asking anything of you. I am a bad lot, but at this moment I really feel the sort of thing that you see in our old family-portraits, an atom of chivalry which has survived by accident. I ask for nothing from you. I merely tell you--and I say it in Urania's name as well as my own--that you can always rely on us. Urania will be angry that you haven't written to us.
human
There go my last soldi, she said, laughing and showing her empty purse.
gpt
We wanted the stamps to write to the secretary of an exhibition in London. Are you seeing me home?
human
Do accept two hundred lire from me!
gpt
Are you dining at home?
human
Yes,
gpt
Be kind, he said,
human
I shall be delighted,