human
Very well, Signor. I can say what I have to say in the street as well as anywhere else. Though I confess I expected a somewhat more ready reception of information which concerns you nearly, Signor Marchese, and which I am prompted to tell you by my interest in your welfare. Listen! Your uncle sent for me this morning for the purpose of announcing to me his intention of marrying this Bianca Lalli!
gpt
So I have been told this very morning,
human
I thought you said that you had not seen your uncle this morning!
gpt
No more I have; but are there not two persons from whom such an intention may be learned?
human
The lady, you mean?
gpt
Exactly so--the lady!
human
The lady herself told you that the Marchese Lamberto had proposed marriage to her?
gpt
The lady herself told me so,
human
But I thought you said that you had only just now returned to the city?
gpt
Really, Signor Fortini, one would think that I was being examined before a police-magistrate! However, since my tongue has let the cat out of the bag, you may take the creature, and make the most of her! I did receive the intelligence in question from the lady concerned, and I have just returned to the city. She communicated the fact to me during a little excursion we made together to the Pineta this morning, after the ball. Now you know all about it,
human
Not quite! rejoined Fortini, quite imperturbably.
gpt
If you went to the Pineta with her--(did anybody ever hear of such a mad thing?)--and returned this morning, how can you want to go now to her house to ask whether she is there?
human
Because, you very clever inquisitor, though I went to the Pineta with her, I did not say that I had come back with her.
gpt
The deuce you did not! Did another gentleman undertake the duty of escorting the lady back to town? It is all exceedingly pleasant for the Marchese Lamberto, upon my word!--oh, exceedingly!--and really a foretaste to him of the joys to come, quite frankly offered to him on the part of the lady!
human
Pshaw! how she may have come back, or with whom, I don't know, and can't guess; and that is just what I am anxious to find out,
gpt
I don't understand. Where did you part with the lady?