human
Paolo, my brother, she said,
gpt
I come to ask you to perform a generous and a noble work, from which you must not shrink. You love the English lady who has been held captive here. I knew it from the first, and I know that she cannot return your love, for her heart is another's. Now listen: the man to whom her heart is given, your rival if you will, lies now in the island, wounded almost to death, and on your skill depends, probably, whether he lives or dies. Promise me, then, as you hope for salvation in another world, for peace of mind in this, to exert that skill to the utmost to preserve his life, to conceal his real character from my husband, and to aid him to escape from the island. Say you will do this, my brother, and I believe, from what I have seen of that fair girl, you are far more likely to win her regard by such conduct, and ultimately, perhaps, even her love, than were her lover to die without an attempt on your part to save him.
human
Her love! Do you think it possible that I should gain her love? he at length exclaimed, as if he had not heard anything else she had said.
gpt
I would sacrifice life itself for that bright jewel.
human
It would be wrong were I to hold hope out to you to induce you to act as I could wish, Paolo, said Nina.
gpt
Think not of any other reward than such as your own heart will afford you. Her love I do not believe that you will attain, even were her lover to die. One of her nature places her heart on one object, and when that is torn from her, it never again finds a resting-place. All you may expect, and that, be assured, she will give you, is her gratitude and esteem. With that you must be content.
human
It is bitter to think so, and yet I have long ceased to hope, murmured Paolo.
gpt
Tell me though, Nina, what would you have me do?
human
Come, my brother, decide what part you will take--there is no time to be lost; oh! let it be that one worthy of your generous nature.
gpt
Nina, I will do as you wish, Paolo gasped forth, after a long silence.
human
I will endeavour to save the life of this man, even though my heart break when I see him united to her he loves.
gpt
Swear it, then, Paolo--swear it by the Holy Apostles--swear it, as you hope for Heaven's mercy hereafter, exclaimed Nina.
human
Not only for your own sake do I impose this oath, but for the sake of the sweet girl herself, that she may know that, though her lover is in his rival's power, he is as safe as in the hands of his dearest friend.