human
What, Dante in exile! cried Ludovico.
gpt
Pray, Sir Poet, which bolgia was set apart for those who are lost by the 'peccato della gola?' or is a bilious fit in the more immediate future bolgia fearful enough?
human
It is not so bad a bolgia as that appointed some other sins,
gpt
What an animal it is!
human
Take some of this woodcock pie, Signora Bianca? You must be starved by this time; and I can recommend it.
gpt
How so? You have not tasted it yourself yet.
human
No; but I am going to do so. And my recommendation is based on my knowledge of the qualities of our woodcocks. They are the finest in the world. The marshes in the neighbourhood of the Pineta breed them in immense quantities.
gpt
Oh, I have heard so much of the Pineta. They say it is so lovely.
human
The most beautiful forest in the world. And this is just the time when it is in its greatest beauty,--the early spring, when the wild flowers are all beginning to blossom, and the birds are all singing. There is nothing like our Pineta!
gpt
I should so like to see it. It does seem really a shame to leave Ravenna without ever having seen the Pineta.
human
Oh, you must not dream of doing so. You must make a little excursion one of these fine spring days. It is just the time for it. Some morning, the earlier the better. But I dare say your habits are not very matutinal, Signora?
gpt
Well, not very, for the most part. But I would willingly make them matutinal for such a purpose at any time. How far is it?
human
Oh, a mere nothing--at the city gates almost a couple of miles, perhaps. You may go out by the Porta Nuova, at the end of the Corso, and so to that part of the forest which lies to the southward of the city; or by the northern road, which very soon enters the wood on that side. Perhaps the finest part of the Pineta is that to the southwards. Of all places in the world it is the spot for a colazione al fresco.
gpt
I should so like it. I have heard of the Pineta di Ravenna all my life.
human
What do you say to going this very morning? said Ludovico, after thinking for a minute.
gpt
There is no time like the present. It will be a charming finish to our Carnival--new and original, too! Do you feel as if you had go enough left for it?
human
Oh, as for that, said Bianca, laughing with lips and eyes,
gpt
I am up to anything. I should like it of all things. But--
human
Ah! what a terrible word that 'but' is. But what? said Ludovico, who had no sooner conceived the idea than he became eager to put it into execution.
gpt
But what?
human
But--a great many things. Unhappily, there is no word comes oftener into one's life than that odious 'but.' But who is to go with me? I cannot go all alone by myself?
gpt
Oh, that's no but at all. Of course, Signora, I did not propose such an expedition to you without proposing to myself the honour of accompanying you,
human
What a scappata! I should like it of all things. But--there it comes again! 'But' the second; will not the good people say all sorts of ill-natured and absurd things?
gpt
Not a bit of it--in my case, Signora. Everybody knows that we have been very good friends; and that I have not been coxcomb enough to have ever hoped to be aught more to you, having been protected, as they all know, from such danger in the only way in which a man could possibly be protected from it,
human
Dear me! What way is that? It might be so useful to know. Would it be equally applicable to a lady, I wonder? said Bianca, looking at him half laughingly, half-poutingly, with her head on one side.
gpt
Oh yes! perfectly applicable in all cases, Signora. It is only to have no heart to lose, having lost it already,
human
Oh, come! This is a confidence dans les regles! And in return for it, Signor Ludovico, do you know--speaking in all seriousness--that--if we really do put this wild scheme into execution--I have a confidence to give you, and may take that opportunity of making it--a confidence, not which may or may not be made, like yours, but which I ought to make to you, the necessity of making which furnishes, to say the truth, a very plausible reason for our projected tete-a-tete.
gpt
Davvero, Signora! Better and better; I shall be charmed to receive such a mark of your friendship, said Ludovico, thinking and caring little on what subject it might be that the Diva purposed speaking to him:
human
he continued,
gpt
And I am sure that I do not see why we should not,
human
I see no reason against telling all the town, for my part, rejoined Ludovico;
gpt
The idea is a nightmare! No; we will not say a word till afterwards. 'Tis the most charming notion for a finale to a Carnival that ever was conceived. I make you my compliments on it, Signor Ludovico.
human
So, then, all the 'buts' have been butted and rebutted?
gpt
Well, I suppose so, --by the help of a strong desire to yield to the temptation of so pleasant a scheme, the way 'buts' generally are answered.
human
But we cannot go on the expedition as we are, I suppose?
gpt
I don't see why not. I dare say the old pines have seen similar figures beneath them before now. But you would not be comfortable without changing your dress, and the mornings are still sharp. This is how it must be. I will slip away before long, and make all preparation necessary. I will get a bagarino and a pony--not from the Castelmare stables, you understand, but from a man I know and can trust--and I will come with it to the door of your lodging at six o'clock. You will stay at the ball till the end. Everybody will go by four o'clock, or soon after. That will give you plenty of time to change your dress. By six o'clock every soul in Ravenna will be fast asleep. We shall drive to a little farm-house I know on the border of the forest, leave our bagarino there, and have our stroll under the trees just as long and as far as is agreeable to you. Won't that do?
human
Perfect! I shall enjoy it amazingly. I will be sure to be ready when you come at six o'clock.
gpt
I will be there at six or thereabouts. Now we will go back to the ball-room; but don't dance till you have not a leg left to stand on. We must have a good long stroll in the Pineta.
human
Lascia fare a me! I dare say I shan't dance another dance--unless, indeed, we have one more turn together before you go. Is there time?
gpt
Oh yes, for that plenty of time. If you are not afraid of tiring yourself, one more last dance by all means.