human
Indeed I think her perfectly charming, said Violante, in continuation of the conversation, which had been interrupted by the bow-legged vision of Apollo;
gpt
How came it about at first, that you spoke to her?
human
Oh, I went into the chapel in the morning, as I very often do, to recite the litany of the Virgin, and if she had remained on her scaffolding I should probably not have noticed her. But she ran down in the most obliging manner, fearing that she might disturb me, and offering to suspend her work, as long as I should remain at my devotions. It was so pretty of her, and so prettily said!
gpt
And then you answered her as prettily, I suppose, Signora?
human
Nay, it is not in my power to do that, said Violante, with a touch of bitterness;
gpt
And then you were kind enough to converse with her on several subsequent occasions?
human
Oh, yes, we had several long talks; and I liked her so much. I am sure she is thoroughly good. I rejoice with all my heart that a destiny, so much more brilliant than anything that could have been expected for her, is likely to be hers.
gpt
I wish, Signora Contessa, that it was more than likely to be hers; I wish that our path lay clearer before us!
human
Including me in the 'us'? I wish it were with all my heart. But remember, Signor Marchese, how much is possible to a man, and how little to a woman. All, that the strong expression of my own wishes and feelings can do, shall be done when the proper time comes for the doing of it. But you must not trust to that, or to me. You ought to save me from being compelled to act at all in the matter. You are free to speak. And now that another besides me is so vitally concerned, I think you ought to do so without further delay.
gpt
And I have fully made up my mind to do it, Signora Contessa. I have told Paolina, this very day, that I purpose speaking very seriously to my uncle on the subject on the day after to-morrow--the first day in Lent. I thought I would let this Carnival time pass by first without breaking in upon it, with business that cannot, I fear, be otherwise than painful. I have promised Paolina, and am fully determined to speak to my uncle on Wednesday.
human
And what do you purpose saying to him?
gpt
In the first instance I have no intention of speaking to him on the subject of Paolina--
human
No!
gpt
Not to begin with, I think. To speak of my intention to make a marriage, which I cannot hope will meet his approbation, would only make my rejection of the alliance, which he hopes to see me form, the more difficult.
human
Yes, that seems true; but I doubt whether you are right there. You will begin, then, by telling him--?
gpt
I shall begin by saying that it seems clear to me, that I have little hope of any success in the quarter in which he has wished me to--
human
Nay, that will not be quite fair, Signor Marchese, interrupted Violante, speaking very quietly.
gpt
Can you honestly tell your uncle that you have made any very strenuous efforts in that direction?
human
But I thought, Signorina, said Ludovico, hastily; I surely had reason to suppose that I should be speaking in support of your sentiments--quite as much as--
gpt
Stay, Signor Marchese; excuse my interrupting you, but it is exactly on this point that I wished to talk with you. Let us clearly understand each other. It is, no doubt, quite true that if you and I had been left to ourselves, if no family-considerations had intervened to suggest other views, neither of us would have been led by our own inclinations,--it is best to speak openly and frankly,--neither of us, I say, would have been led by our own inclinations to think more of the other than as an old and valued acquaintance. This is the truth, is it not?
human
Nay, Signorina, can I say--
gpt
It is not fair, you would say, interrupted Violante again,
human
In what respect did it seem to you, that what I proposed saying to my uncle in the first instance, was unfair, Signorina?
gpt
In this it would be unfair. To talk of your want of success in obtaining what you never sought to obtain, is simply to throw on me the burden and the blame of disappointing the wishes and plans of both our families. I am ready to do my part; but it would be unreasonable to expect that it can be so active or so large a part as your own. It will not be for you to let it be supposed that you are ready and willing to offer your hand to the Contessa Violante Marliani, trusting to my refusal to accept it in the teeth of the wishes of my family. It is your duty to say openly and plainly that you cannot make the marriage proposed to you. If I were in your place--if I might venture to suggest, what I would myself counsel--I should add, as a reason--an additional reason--that I had given my heart elsewhere.
human
But, Signora, you forget that the marriage between us was proposed before I ever saw or heard of Paolina,