human
I would rather not have written it, replied Bianca, peevishly.
gpt
It looked too much like putting the screw on--I don't like it.
human
Be reasonable, bambina mia, whatever you are. How, in the name of all the Saints, do you imagine that you are to become Marchesa di Castelmare without putting the screw on--and that pretty sharply too? The man is as thoroughly caught as ever man was caught by a woman; and I tell you, therefore, that the game is in your own hands. But you don't suppose that he is burningly eager to solicit the honour of your alliance, che diamine?
gpt
Don't, Quinto; don't go on in that way. I tell you I hate it all,
human
Cars mia, you are in an irrational humour this morning. Do you like the old game better? It don't pay, bambina mia, as you have found out; and, above all, it won't last. But I am sure you have reason to be satisfied with your success this season in any way. I never heard you sing better in my life than you did last night; and, to say the truth, these people seemed to appreciate it.
gpt
I tell you, I hate it all--all--all!
human
You are unreasonable, Bianca, you are not like yourself this morning; I don't know what is come to you. What in the world do you like, or what do you want?
gpt
Did you see the Marchese Ludovico in a box on the right-hand side on the second tier with that Venetian girl, the artist?
human
The Marchese Ludovico was in the left-hand stage-box with his uncle.
gpt
Of course he was; but I mean between the acts. I saw him from the wing by the side of that girl with her face the colour of mahogany, and her half-alive look. I hate the look of her, and I know she hates me!
human
What do you mean, Bianca mia? he said, at last;
gpt
I tell you, she does. We women can always see those things without needing to be told them; and she knows, you may be very sure, that I hate her.
human
But why? What is she to you?
gpt
You asked me, just now, what I wanted. I want, if you must know, what I can never have--what the Venetian girl last night was getting.
human
And what was she getting? I don't understand you, upon my soul!
gpt
What was she getting? Love!--that was what she was getting! Ludovico loves her,
human
Tu, tu, tu, tu, tu, tu! whistled Quinto, between his pursed-up lips.
gpt
But I thought, bambina mia, that you were going to love the Marchese Lamberto, and be a good wife to him, and all the rest of it, according to the rules and practices of the best-regulated domestic family circles; and I--I was so rejoiced to hear it,
human
Don't, Quinto; don't talk in that manner, or you'll drive me beyond myself. I can't bear it.
gpt
But did you not say that you loved the Marchese Lamberto?
human
I said that I liked him better than any of the men I have known; that I admired him as a fine and noble gentleman; that I would be a good and true wife to him,--and should love him, she added, with a burst of bitterness,
gpt
Well, come now, bambina mia. If you think that the Marchese is not enough in love with you, you must have a strong appetite, indeed, and be very hard to content. Why, if there ever was a man thoroughly caught, fascinated--
human
Bah! Love! Ludovico loves the Venetian,
gpt
Ludovico, again! I protest I don't understand you, Bianca. But there, when a man has come to my age he don't expect ever to understand a woman. You did not want Ludovico, as you call him, to love you, did you?
human
No: but--
gpt
But what? If you mean that you wanted to have the uncle for a husband, and the nephew for a lover, that is intelligible enough. The game would have been a dangerous one. But there is no reason why you should not say it plainly between friends.
human
I tell you, Quinto, I won't hear you speak to me in that tone, said Bianca, turning on him fiercely, and with flashing eyes.
gpt
Did I ever do anything to attract him? she added,--
human
Very well then; let his Venetian have him in peace,
gpt
Why, then, does that girl hate me as she does? What harm have I ever done her?
human
Why should you think she does hate you?
gpt
I have told you that I saw it. I saw it in her eyes when Ludovico was handing me the bouquet;--which he only did because his uncle told him to do it. She would have blasted me to death with her look at that moment if she could have done it;--I have a good mind--a very good mind--
human
Be guided by me this once for the last time, as you have so often been before; bambina mia, said Quinto, who thought that he now understood the real state of the case;
gpt
Ah--h--h--h! sighed Bianca, shaking her head with an expression of disgust;
human
she continued, after a pause of thought;
gpt
He'll come sure enough,
human
It's quite time, then, that I made myself ready to receive him,
gpt
Amo il zeffiro, perche a lui suo nome confido,