human
And now, my sister, for some gentle but deserved reproach. Have you not sadly failed me in the task I imposed on your regard for my interests? Is it not some years since you first came to England on the mission of discovering these worthy relations of ours? Did I not entreat you to seduce into your toils the man whom I new to be my enemy, and who was indubitably acquainted with our cousin's retreat,--a secret he has hitherto locked within his bosom? Did you not tell me, that though he was then in England, you could find no occasion even to meet him, but that you had obtained the friendship of the statesman to whom I directed your attention, as his most intimate associate? And yet you, whose charms are usually so irresistible, learn nothing from the statesman, as you see nothing of Milord. Nay, baffled and misled, you actually suppose that the quarry has taken refuge in France. You go thither, you pretend to search the capital, the provinces, Switzerland, /que sais je/? All in vain,--though--/foi de gentilhomme/--your police cost me dearly. You return to England; the same chase, and the same result. /Palsambleu, ma soeur/, I do too much credit to your talents not to question your zeal. In a word, have you been in earnest,--or have you not had some womanly pleasure in amusing yourself and abusing my trust?
gpt
Giulio, answered Beatrice, sadly,
human
Ah, you do!
gpt
But grant that my heart shrunk from the task you imposed on me, would it not have been natural? When I first came to England, you informed me that your object in discovering the exiles was one which I could honestly aid. You naturally wished first to know if the daughter lived; if not, you were the heir. If she did, you assured me you desired to effect, through my mediation, some liberal compromise with Alphonso, by which you would have sought to obtain his restoration, provided he would leave you for life in possession of the grant you hold from the crown. While these were your objects, I did my best, ineffectual as it was, to obtain the information required.
human
And what made me lose so important, though so ineffectual an ally?
gpt
What! when you bade me receive and co-operate with the miserable spies-- the false Italians--whom you sent over, and seek to entangle this poor exile, when found, in some rash correspondence to be revealed to the court; when you sought to seduce the daughter of the Count of Peschiera, the descendant of those who had ruled in Italy, into the informer, the corrupter, and the traitress,--no, Giulio, then I recoiled; and then, fearful of your own sway over me, I retreated into France. I have answered you frankly.
human
And this, said he,
gpt
Hold, cried the marchesa, rising, and with a burst of emotion, as if stung to the utmost, and breaking into revolt from the tyranny of years, --
human
Now you upbraid me, said the count, unruffled by her sudden passion,
gpt
Old in vices, and mean of soul! The marriage I forgave you. You had the right, according to the customs of our country, to dispose of my hand. But I forgave you not the consolations that you whispered in the ear of a wretched and insulted wife.
human
Pardon me the remark, replied the count, with a courtly bend of his head,
gpt
continued the count,
human
And penniless.
gpt
True, Di Negra was a gambler, and very unlucky; no fault of mine. I could neither keep the cards from his hands, nor advise him how to play them.
human
And my own portion? O Giulio, I knew but at his death why you had condemned me to that renegade Genoese. He owed you money, and, against honour, and I believe against law, you had accepted my fortune in discharge of the debt.
gpt
He had no other way to discharge it; a debt of honour must be paid,--old stories these. What matters? Since then my purse has been open to you.
human
Yes, not as your sister, but your instrument, your spy! Yes, your purse has been open--with a niggard hand.
gpt
I would be free from you.
human
That is, you would form some second marriage with one of these rich island lords. /Ma foi/, I respect your ambition.
gpt
It is not so high. I aim but to escape from slavery,--to be placed beyond dishonourable temptation. I desire, cried Beatrice, with increased emotion,--
human
I desire to re-enter the life of woman.
gpt
Eno'! said the count, with a visible impatience;
human
and here the count, looking on the table, drew a letter from a portfolio emblazoned with his arms and coronet,--
gpt
You will restore my fortune?
human
When my own, with your aid, is secured.
gpt
But do you not overrate the value of my aid?
human
Possibly, said the count, with a caressing suavity--and he kissed his sister's forehead.
gpt
Possibly; but, by my honour, I wish to repair to you any wrong, real or supposed, I may have done you in past times. I wish to find again my own dear sister. I may over-value your aid, but not the affection from which it comes. Let us be friends, /cara Beatrice mia/,