human
My child! cried Riccabocca, seating himself,
gpt
I have resolved to leave for a time this retreat, and to seek the neighbourhood of London.
human
Ah, dear father, that, then, was your thought? But what can be your reason? Do not turn away; you know how care fully I have obeyed your command and kept your secret. Ah, you will confide in me.
gpt
I do, indeed, returned Riccabocca, with emotion.
human
I leave this place in the fear lest my enemies discover me. I shall say to others that you are of an age to require teachers not to be obtained here, but I should like none to know where we go.
gpt
My mother--[so Violante always called Jemima]--my mother--you have spoken to her?
human
Not yet. THERE is the difficulty.
gpt
No difficulty, for she loves you so well, replied Violante, with soft reproach.
human
Ah, why not also confide in her? Who so true, so good?
gpt
Good--I grant it! exclaimed Riccabocca.
human
What then? 'Da cattiva Donna guardati, ed alla buona non fidar niente.'--[ From the bad woman, guard thyself; to the good woman trust nothing.
gpt
added the abominable man,
human
Fie, said Violante, with arch reproach, for she knew her father's humours too well to interpret his horrible sentiments literally,--
gpt
You! A kitten is not a cat, and a girl is not a woman. Besides, the secret was already known to you, and I had no choice. Peace, Jemima will stay here for the present. See to what you wish to take with you; we shall leave to-night. Not waiting for an answer, Riccabocca hurried away, and with a firm step strode the terrace, and approached his wife.
human
Anima mia, said the pupil of Machiavelli, disguising in the tenderest words the cruellest intentions,--for one of his most cherished Italian proverbs was to the effect that there is no getting on with a mule or a woman unless you coax them,--
gpt
Anima mia, soul of my being, you have already seen that Violante mopes herself to death here.
human
She, poor child! Oh, no!
gpt
She does, core of my heart,--she does, and is as ignorant of music as I am of tent-stitch.
human
She sings beautifully.
gpt
Just as birds do, against all the rules, and in defiance of gamut. Therefore, to come to the point, O treasure of my soul! I am going to take her with me for a short time, perhaps to Cheltenham or Brighton. We shall see.
human
All places with you are the same to me, Alphonso. When shall we go?
gpt
We shall go to-night; but terrible as it is to part from you,--you--
human
Ah!
gpt
Carissima, do not grieve so; we shall be back soon, and travelling is expensive; rolling stones gather no moss, and there is so much to see to at home.
human
Alphonso, she said touchingly,
gpt
Trust! repeated Riccabocca, startled and conscience-stricken;
human
he continued, with the artful volubility of guilt,
gpt
Can you think, she resumed, pressing her hand on her heart to still its struggles for relief in sobs,--
human
Mrs. Riccabocca turned away; but a soft hand touched the Italian's arm.
gpt
O Father, can you resist this? Trust her! trust her!---I am a woman like her! I answer for her woman's faith. Be yourself,--ever nobler than all others, my own father.
human
Diavolo! Never one door shuts but another opens, groaned Riccabocca.
gpt
Are you a fool, child? Don't you see that it was for your sake only I feared, and would be cautious?
human
For mine! Oh, then do not make me deem myself mean, and the cause of meanness. For mine! Am I not your daughter,--the descendant of men who never feared?
gpt
Jemima, wife mine! pardon, pardon, cried the Italian, whose heart had been yearning to repay such tenderness and devotion,--