human
Cesare Dias was right, my dearest Anna. I couldn't answer him. I'm a poor young fellow, without a farthing.
gpt
Love is stronger than money.
human
I am a commoner, I have no title to give you.
gpt
Love is stronger than a title.
human
Everything is against our union, Anna.
gpt
Love is stronger than everything; stronger even than death.
human
Think a little, Anna. Our souls were made for each other; but our persons are placed in such different circumstances, separated by so many things, such great distances, that not even a miracle could unite them. You accuse me of being a traitor to our love, which is our strength; but is it unworthy of us to conquer ourselves in such a pass? Anna, Anna, it is I who lose everything; and yet I advise you to forget this youthful fancy. You are young; you are beautiful; you are rich; you are noble, and you love me; yet it is my duty to say to you, forget me--forget me. Consider how great the sacrifice is, and see if it is not our duty, as two good people, to make it courageously. Anna, you will be loved again, better still, by a better man. You deserve the purest and the noblest love. You won't be unhappy long. Life is still sweet for you. You weep, yes; you suffer; because you love me, because you are a dear, loving woman. But afterwards, afterwards you will find your path broad and flowery. It is I who will have nothing left; the light of my life will go out, the fire in my heart. But what does it matter? You will forget me, Anna.
gpt
Speak,
human
I can't forget you,
gpt
Try--make the effort. Let us try not to see each other.
human
No, no; it's useless,
gpt
What do you wish us to do?
human
I don't know. I don't know.
gpt
What is the matter with you? Are you ill?
human
Anna, what is it?
gpt
You don't love me.
human
How can you doubt it?
gpt
If you loved me, she began, sobbing,
human
Anna, Anna!
gpt
Judge by me, she went on, softly.
human
I'm a poor, weak woman; yet I resist, I struggle. And we would conquer, we would conquer, if you loved me.
gpt
Anna!
human
Ah, don't call my name; don't speak my name. All this tenderness--what's the use of it? It is good; it is wise; it is comforting. But it is only tenderness; it isn't love. You can think, reflect, determine. That isn't love. You speak of duty, of being worthy--worthy of her who adores you, who sees nothing but you in the whole wide world. I know nothing of all that. I love you. I know nothing. And only now I realise that your love isn't love. You are silent. I don't understand you. You can't understand me. Good-bye, love!
gpt
What do you want to do?
human
If I can't live with you, I must die,
gpt
Don't speak of dying, Anna. Don't make my regret worse than it is. It's I who have spoiled your life.
human
It doesn't matter.
gpt
It's I who have put bitterness into your sweet youth.
human
It doesn't matter.
gpt
It's I who have stirred you up to rebel against Cesare Dias, against your sister Laura, against the wish of your parents and all your friends.
human
It doesn't matter.
gpt
It is I who have called you from your sleep, who have exposed you to a thousand dangers. Think, if you were discovered here you would be lost.
human
It doesn't matter. Take me away.
gpt
If you would only take me away,
human
But where?
gpt
Anywhere--to any country. You will be my country.
human
Elope? A noble young girl--elope like an adventuress?
gpt
Love will secure my pardon.
human
I will pardon you; no others will.
gpt
You will be my family, my all. Take me away.
human
Anna, Anna, where should we find refuge? Without means, without friends, having committed a great fault, our life would be most unhappy.
gpt
No, no, no! Take me away. We'll have a little time of poverty, after which I shall get possession of my fortune. Take me away.
human
And I shall be accused of having made a good speculation. No, no, Anna, it's impossible. I couldn't bear such a shame.
gpt
What? she cried.
human
What? You would be ashamed? It's your shame that preoccupies you? And mine? Honoured, esteemed, loved, I care nothing for this honour, this love, and am willing to lose all, the respect of people, the affection of my relations--and you think of yourself! I could have chosen any one of a multitude of young men of my own rank, my own set, and I have chosen you because you were good and honest and clever. And you are ashamed of what bad people and stupid people may say of you! I--I brave everything. I lie, I deceive. I leave my bed at the dead of night, steal out during my sister's sleep--out of my room, out of my house, like a guilty servant, so that they might call me the lowest of the low. I do all this to come to you; and you are thinking of speculations, of what the world will say about you. Oh, how strong you are, you men! How well you know your way; how straight you march, never listening to the voices that call to you, never feeling the hands that try to stop you--nothing, nothing, nothing! You are men, and have your honour to look after, your dignity to preserve, your delicate reputation to safeguard. You are right, you are reasonable. And so we are fools; we are mad, who step out of the path of honour and dignity for the love of you--we poor silly creatures of our hearts!
gpt
Forgive me, he said;
human
O God!