human
And a very great fool she is for her pains, cried the old man, with an oath;
gpt
I am sure, Signor Quinto, she has not had one bit of pleasure all this Carnival. A nun couldn't have lived a quieter life, nor more shut up than she has. With the exception of the old gentleman and the Marchese Ludovico, she has never seen a soul!
human
And where's the use of never seeing a single soul, if she throws all that she has gained by it away in this manner?
gpt
Why, Santa Virgine, Signor Quinto! Where's the harm? Isn't the Signor Ludovico the old one's own nephew?
human
The old one, as you call him, is not a bit the more likely to like it for that. It is just the very last thing she should have done. I do wonder she should not have more sense,
gpt
Misericordia! why what a piece of work about nothing! The old gentleman will never know anything about it, you may be very sure. He is safe enough in bed and asleep after his late hours, you may swear. Besides, it's both best and honestest to begin as you mean to go on, and accustom him to what he's got to expect,
human
All very well in good time. But it would be as well for Bianca to make sure first what she has got to expect.
gpt
Why, you don't suppose, Signor Quinto, nor yet that old Marchese don't suppose, I should think, that he's going to marry a woman like my mistress, to keep her caged up like a bird that's never to sing, except for him?
human
I tell you, Gigia, and you would do well to tell her, and make her understand, that she is not Marchesa di Castelmare yet, and is not likely to be, if this morning's work were to come to the ears of the Marchese. It is just the very worst thing she could have done; and I should have thought she must know that. I had rather that she should have gone with any other man in the town.
gpt
I am sure, said Gigia, with a virtuous toss of the head,
human
And she would wish to go with the Marchese Ludovico! There's all the mischief. Just what I am afraid of. I tell you, Gigia, that if the Marchese Lamberto hears of her going off in this manner with his nephew, the game is all up. He would never forgive it.
gpt
You will excuse me, Signor Quinto, said Gigia, with a demure air of speaking modestly on a subject which she perfectly well understood--
human
You will excuse me, if I tell you that I know a great deal better than that. There's men, Signor Quinto, who are in love because they like it; and there's others who are in love whether they like it or no, because they can't help themselves!
gpt
And you fancy the Marchese Lamberto is one of those who can't help himself, eh?
human
If I ever saw a man who was so limed that he couldn't help himself, it's that poor creature of a Marchese! He's caught safe enough, you may take my word for that, Signor Quinto. He's caught, and can't budge, I tell you--hand nor foot, body nor soul! Lord bless you, I know 'em. Why, do you think he'd ever have come near my mistress a second time if he could have helped himself? He's not like your young 'uns, who come to amuse themselves. Likely enough, he'd give half of all he's worth this day never to have set eyes on her; but, as for giving her up, he could as soon give himself up!
gpt
Humph! grunted the old singer, with a shrug, and a sound that was half a sneer and half a chuckle.
human
I suppose he don't above half like the price he has to pay for his plaything! But that don't make it wise in Bianca to drive him to the wall more than need be. Limed and caught as he is, he's one that may give her some trouble yet. For my part, I wish she had not gone on this fool's errand this morning. Now, I will go and get my breakfast. I shall be back in half-an-hour. I expect Signor Ercole Stadione here this morning.
gpt
And if he comes before you are back, Signor Quinto?
human
If he should come before I am back, let the boy call me from the cafe. And, Gigia, whenever he comes, you can let him understand, you know, that your mistress is in her own room,--resting after the ball, you know. He's hand and glove with the Marchese.
gpt
I wasn't born yesterday, Signor Quinto, though you seem to think so,
human
in it, and the morsel of dry bread, which constituted his accustomed breakfast; and then, as he was returning to his lodging, encountered the
gpt
Well met, Signor Lalli! cried little Signor Ercole, cheerily.
human
I was on my way to your house to settle our little matters. I have not seen you, I think, since Sunday night. The bustle of these last days of the Carnival! How divinely she sang that night! If Bellini could have heard her, it would have been the happiest day of his life.
gpt
I am glad that you were contented, Signor Ercole.
human
Contented! The whole city was enraptured. There never was such a success. You have got that little memorandum of articles--?
gpt
No. I've got the paper signed at Milan; but not--
human
Stay, let me see. True, true. I remember now. It remained with the Marchese. We shall want it, you know, just to put all in order. We can call at the Palazzo Castelmare on our way, and ask the Marchese for it?
gpt
Will he be up at this hour, after last night's ball?
human
He? The Marchese? One sees you are a stranger in Ravenna, my dear sir. I don't suppose the Marchese has ever been in bed after eight o'clock the last quarter of a century. He is an early man, the Marchese,--an example to us all in that, as in all else.
gpt
Very well; then we can call for the paper on our way to my lodging; it is not much out of the way.