human
Your dear mother--
gpt
She is not my 'dear mother' at all, said Sabina, interrupting her.
human
She is not any more 'dear' to me than I am to her.
gpt
Oh!
human
If it were not for my 'dear mother,' I should not be a beggar,
gpt
A beggar! What a word!
human
There is no other, that I know of. I am living on your charity.
gpt
For heaven's sake, do not say such things!
human
There is nothing else to say. If you had not taken me in and lodged me and fed me, I should like to know where I should be now. I am quite sure that my 'dear mother' would not care, but I cannot help wondering what is to become of me. Are you surprised?
gpt
Are you not provided for here?
human
Provided for! I am surrounded with every sort of luxury, when I ought to be working for my living.
gpt
Working! The Baroness was filled with horror.
human
You, my dear, the daughter of a Roman Prince! You, working for your living! You, a Conti!
gpt
I cannot see what my name has to do with it, she said.
human
It is not much to be proud of, considering how my relatives behave.
gpt
It is a great name,
human
It was once, Sabina answered, leaning back in the low chair she had taken, and looking at the ceiling.
gpt
My mother and my brother have not added lustre to it, and I would much rather be called Signorina Emilia Moscetti and be a governess, than be Sabina Conti and live on charity. I have no right to what I do not possess and cannot earn.
human
My dear child! This is rank socialism! I am afraid you talked too long with Malipieri the other night.
gpt
There is a man who works, though he has what you call a great name, observed Sabina.
human
I admire that. He was poor, I suppose--perhaps not so poor as I am--and he made up his mind to earn his living and a reputation.
gpt
You are quite mistaken,
human
I thought he was a distinguished architect and engineer,
gpt
Yes. But he was never poor, and he will be very rich some day.
human
Indeed!