human
What has happened?
gpt
Urania, she said, seriously,
human
I know I am a coquette. I thought it pleasant to talk with Gilio; call it flirting, if you like. I never made a secret of it, either to Duco or to you. I looked upon it as an amusement, nothing more. Perhaps I did wrong; I know it annoyed you once before. I promised not to do it again; but it seems to be beyond my control. It's in my nature; and I shall not attempt to defend myself. I looked upon it as a trifle, as a diversion, as fun. But perhaps it was wrong. Do you forgive me? I have grown so fond of you: it would hurt me if you did not forgive me.
gpt
Make it up with Gilio and stay on.
human
That's impossible, my dear girl. Gilio has insulted me, Gilio drew his knife against Duco; and those are two things which I can never forgive him. So it is impossible for us to remain.
gpt
I shall be so lonely! she sobbed.
human
I also am so fond of you, I am fond of you both. Is there no way out of it? Bob is going to-morrow too. I shall be all alone. And I have nothing here, nobody who is fond of me....
gpt
You have a great deal left, Urania. You have an object in life; you can do any amount of good in your surroundings. You are interested in the castle, which is now your own.
human
It's all so empty! she sobbed.
gpt
It means nothing to me. I need affection. Who is there that is fond of me? I have tried to love Gilio and I do love him, but he doesn't care for me. Nobody cares for me.
human
Your poor are devoted to you. You have a noble aim in life.
gpt
I'm glad of it, but I am too young to live only for an aim. And I have nothing else. Nobody cares for me.
human
Prince Ercole, surely?
gpt
No, he despises me. Listen. I told you once before what Gilio said ... that there were no family-jewels, that they were all sold: you remember, don't you? Well, there are family-jewels. I gathered that from something the Countess di Rosavilla said. There are family-jewels. But Prince Ercole keeps them in the Banco di Roma. They despise me; and I am not thought good enough to wear them. And to me they pretend that there are none left. And the worst of it is that all their friends, all their set know that the jewels are there, in the bank, and they all say that Prince Ercole is right. My money is good enough for them, but I am not good enough for their old jewels, the jewels of their grandmother!
human
That's a shame!
gpt
It's the truth! sobbed Urania.
human
Oh, do make it up, stay a little longer, for my sake!...
gpt
Judge for yourself, Urania: we really can't.
human
I suppose you're right,
gpt
It's all my fault.
human
No, no, Gilio is sometimes so impetuous....
gpt
But his impetuousness, his anger, his jealousy are my fault. I am sorry about it, Urania, because of you. Forgive me. Come and look me up in Rome when you go back. Don't forget me; and write, won't you?... Now I must go and pack my trunk. What time is the train?
human
Ten twenty-five, said Duco.
gpt
We shall go together.
human
Can I say good-bye to Prince Ercole? Send and ask if he can see me.
gpt
What shall I tell him?
human
The first thing that comes into your head: that a friend of mine in Rome is ill, that I am going to look after her and that Van der Staal is taking me back because I am nervous travelling. I don't care what Prince Ercole thinks.
gpt
Cornélie....
human
Darling, I really haven't another moment. Kiss me and forgive me. And think of me sometimes. Good-bye. We have had a delightful time together and I have grown very fond of you.
gpt
Where are you going?
human
We are going by the ten twenty-five.
gpt
I am very, very sorry....