human
Dionetta, said the Advocate's wife,
gpt
Have I, my lady? I have never thought of it, but it is, if you say so.
human
But perhaps, said the Advocate's wife, with a glance at the girl's bright face,
gpt
I am sure I cannot say, my lady; he would not think of me at all.
human
You little simpleton! I wish I had such a name; they ought to wait till we grow up, so that we might choose our own names. I should not have chosen Adelaide for myself.
gpt
Is that your name, my lady?
human
Yes--they could not have given me an uglier.
gpt
Nay, said Dionetta, raising her eyes in mute appeal for forgiveness for the contradiction,
human
Repeat it, then. Adelaide.
gpt
May I, my lady?
human
Of course you may, if I wish you to. Let me hear you speak it.
gpt
Adelaide! Adelaide! murmured Dionetta softly. The permission was as precious as the gift of a silver chain would have been.
human
My lady, it is pretty.
gpt
Shall we change?
human
Can we? inquired Dionetta in a solemn tone.
gpt
I would not mind if you wish it, and if it is right. I will ask the priest.
human
No, do not trouble. Would you really like to change?
gpt
It would be so strange--and it might be a sin! If we cannot, it is of no use thinking of it.
human
There is no sin in thinking of things; if there were, the world would be full of sin, and I--dear me, how much I should have to answer for! I should not like everyone to know my thoughts. What a quiet life you must live here, Dionetta!
gpt
Yes, my lady, it is quiet.
human
Would you not prefer to live in a city?
gpt
I should be frightened, my lady. I have been only twice to Geneva, and there was no room in the streets to move about. I was glad to get back.
human
No room to move about, simplicity! That is the delight of it. There are theatres, and music, and light, and life. You would not be frightened if you were with me?
gpt
Oh, no, my lady; that would be happiness.
human
Are you not happy here?
gpt
Oh, yes, very happy.
human
But you wish for something?
gpt
No, my lady; I have everything I want.
human
Everything--positively everything?
gpt
Yes, my lady.
human
There is one thing you must want, Dionetta, if you have it not already.
gpt
May I know what it is?
human
Yes, child. Love.
gpt
You are very pretty, Dionetta; it is right you should have a pretty name. Do you mean to tell me you have not a lover?
human
I have been asked, my lady,
gpt
And you said 'yes'? Little one, I have caught you.
human
My lady, I did not say 'yes.'
gpt
And the men were contented? They must be dolts. Really and truly, you have not a lover?
human
What can I say, my lady? murmured Dionetta, her head bent down.
gpt
There are some who say they--love me.
human
But you do not love them?
gpt
No, my lady.
human
You would like to have one you could love?
gpt
One day, my lady, if I am so fortunate.
human
I promise you, said the Advocate's wife with a blithe laugh,
gpt
I cannot help it, my lady. My face often grows red when I am quite alone.
human
And thinking of love, added the Advocate's wife;
gpt
You are very good, my lady, but I am only a poor peasant. I will serve you as well as I can.
human
You knew, before I came, that you were to be my maid?
gpt
Yes, my lady. Master Lamont said it was likely. Grandmother did not seem to care that it should be so, but I wished for it, and now that she has seen you she must be glad for me to serve you.
human
Why should she be glad, Dionetta?
gpt
My lady, it could not be otherwise, said Dionetta very earnestly;
human
Flatterer! Master Lamont--he is an old man?
gpt
Yes, my lady.
human
There are some old men who are very handsome.
gpt
He is not. He is small, and thin, and shrivelled up.
human
Those are not the men for us, are they, little one?
gpt
But he has a voice like honey. I have heard many say so.
human
That is something in his favour--or would be, if women were blind. So from this day you are my maid. You will be faithful, I am sure, and will keep my secrets. Mind that, Dionetta. You must keep my secrets.
gpt
Have you any? said Dionetta,
human
Every woman in the world has secrets, and every woman in the world must have someone to whom she can whisper them. You will find that out for yourself in time. Yes, child, I have secrets--one, a very precious one. If ever you guess it without my telling you, keep it buried in your heart, and do not speak of it to a living soul.
gpt
I would not dare, my lady.
human
Edward, said the Advocate's wife to him, as they entered the house,
gpt
I have found a treasure. My new maid is charming.
human
I am pleased to hear it. She has an ingenuous face, but you will be able to judge better when you know more of her.
gpt
You do not trust many persons, Edward.
human
Not many, Adelaide.
gpt
Me?
human
Implicitly.
gpt
And another, I think.
human
Certainly, one other.
gpt
I should not be far out if I were to name Christian Almer.
human
It is to him I refer.
gpt
I have sometimes wondered, she said, with an artless look,
human
We are frequently drawn to our unlikes; but Almer and I have one quality in common with each other.
gpt
What quality, Edward?
human
The quality of the dog--faithfulness. Almer's friendship is precious to me, and mine to him, because we are each to the other faithful.
gpt
The quality of the dog! How odd that sounds! Though when one thinks of it there is really something noble in it. And friendship--it is almost as if you placed it higher than love.
human
It is far higher. Love too frequently changes, as the seasons change. Friendship is, of the two, the more likely to endure, being less liable to storms. But even a faithful friendship is rare.
gpt
And faithful love much rarer, according to your ideas. Yet, Mr. Almer, having this quality of the dog, would be certain, you believe, to be faithful both in love and friendship.
human
To the death.
gpt
You are thorough in your opinions, Edward.
human
I do not believe in half-heartedness, Adelaide.