human
I am not a gentleman, as you understand the word, he said slowly.
gpt
And yet I am certainly not of the class to which my father belonged. My position is not defined. I could not marry a woman of your class, and I should not care to marry one of any other. That is all. Is it not clear?
human
Yes, answered Francesca.
gpt
It is clear enough. But--
human
You were going to find an objection to what I said,
gpt
No; I was not. I will say it, for you will understand me. What you tell me is true enough, and I am sorry that it should be so. Is it not to some extent my fault?
human
Your fault? cried Reanda, leaning forward and looking into her eyes.
gpt
How? I do not understand.
human
I blame myself, answered Francesca, quietly.
gpt
I have kept you out of the world, perhaps, and in many ways. Here you live, day after day, as though nothing else existed for you. In the morning, long before I am awake, you come down your staircase through that door, and go up that ladder, and work, and work, and work, all day long, until it is dark, as you have worked to-day, and yesterday, and for months. And when you might and should be out of doors, or associating with other people, as just now, I sit and talk to you and take up all your leisure time. It is wrong. You ought to see more of other men and women. Do men of genius never marry? It seems to me absurd!
human
Genius! exclaimed Reanda, shaking his head sadly.
gpt
Do not use the word of me.
human
I will do as other people do, answered Francesca.
gpt
But that is not the question. The truth is that you live pent up in this old house, like a bird in a cage. I want you to spread your wings.
human
To go away for a time?
gpt
I did not say that. Perhaps I should. Yes, if you could enjoy a journey, go away--for a time.
human
Just to make a change, she added, after a moment's pause, as he said nothing.
gpt
You ought to see more of other people, as I said. You ought to mix with the world. You ought at least to offer yourself the chance of marrying, even if you think that you might not find a wife to your taste.
human
If I do not find one here--
gpt
Must you marry a Roman princess? she asked.
human
What should you say to a foreigner? Is that impossible, too?
gpt
It would matter little where she came from, if I wished to marry her, he answered.
human
But I like my life as it is. Why should I try to change it? I am happy as I am. I work, and I enjoy working. I work for you, and you are satisfied. It seems to me that there is nothing more to be said. Why are you so anxious that I should marry?
gpt
Because I think that in some way it is my fault if you have not married, she said.
human
And besides, I was thinking of a young girl whom I met, or rather, saw, the other day, and who might please you. She has the most beautiful voice in the world, I think. She could make her fortune as a singer, and I believe she wishes to try it. But her father objects. They are foreigners--English or Scotch--it is the same. She is a mere child, they say, but she seems to be quite grown up. There is something strange about them. He is a man of science, I am told, but I fancy he is one of those English enthusiasts about Italian liberty. His name is Dalrymple.
gpt
What a name! Reanda laughed.
human
I suppose they have come to spend the winter in Rome,
gpt
Not at all. I hear that they have lived here for years. But one never meets the foreigners, unless they wish to be in society. His wife died young, they say, and this girl is his only daughter. I wish you could hear her sing!
human
For that matter, I wish I might,