human
I am come to thank you for your warning last night, said he,
gpt
You are a gallant, Mr. Glyndon, said Zicci, with a smile;
human
Are you serious?
gpt
Most serious. You love Isabel di Pisani; you have for rival one of the most powerful and relentless of the Neapolitan princes. Your danger is indeed great.
human
But, pardon me, how came it known to you?
gpt
I give no account of myself to mortal man, replied Zicci, haughtily;
human
Well, if I may not question you, be it so; but at least advise me what to do.
gpt
You will not follow my advice.
human
You wrong me! Why?
gpt
Because you are constitutionally brave; you are fond of excitement and mystery; you like to be the hero of a romance. I should advise you to leave Naples, and you will disdain to do so while Naples contains a foe to shun or a mistress to pursue.
human
You are right, said the young Englishman, with energy;
gpt
No, there is another course left to you. Do you love Isabel di Pisani truly and fervently? If so, marry her, and take a bride to your native land.
human
Nay, answered Glyndon, embarrassed.
gpt
Isabel is not of my rank; her character is strange and self-willed; her education neglected. I am enslaved by her beauty, but I cannot wed her.
human
Your love, then, is but selfish lust; and by that love you will be betrayed. Young man, Destiny is less inexorable than it appears. The resources of the great Ruler of the Universe are not so scanty and so stern as to deny to men the divine privilege of Free Will; all of us can carve out our own way, and God can make our very contradictions harmonize with His solemn ends. You have before you an option. Honorable and generous love may even now work out your happiness and effect your escape; a frantic and interested passion will but lead you to misery and doom.
gpt
Do you pretend, then, to read the Future?
human
I have said all that it pleases me to utter.
gpt
While you assume the moralist to me, Signor Zicci, said Glyndon, with a smile,
human
If it were necessary that practice square with precept, said Zicci, with a sneer,
gpt
You have reflected deeply, for an Italian,
human
Who told you I was an Italian?
gpt
Are you not of Corsica?
human
Tush! said Zicci, impatiently turning away. Then, after a pause, he resumed, in a mild voice:
gpt
Glyndon, do you renounce Isabel di Pisani? Will you take three days to consider of what I have said?
human
Renounce her,--never!
gpt
Then you will marry her?
human
Impossible.
gpt
Be it so; she will then renounce you. I tell you that you have rivals.
human
Yes, the Prince di --; but I do not fear him.
gpt
You have another, whom you will fear more.
human
And who is he?
gpt
Myself.
human
You, Signor Zicci, you,--and you dare to tell me so?
gpt
Dare! Alas! you know there is nothing on earth left me to fear!