human
Come in,
gpt
Good-morning. Are you going out?
human
No. I don't know,
gpt
You had something to say to me?
human
Yes.
gpt
I came home late. I didn't want to disturb you,
human
You would not have disturbed me.
gpt
I suppose it's nothing of much importance.
human
It's a thing of great importance, Cesare.
gpt
As usual,
human
I swear to you by the memory of my mother that nothing is more important.
gpt
Goodness gracious! Act three, scene four!
human
Scene last,
gpt
So much the better, if we are near the end. The play was rather long, my dear.
human
We will cut it short, Cesare. I have a favour to ask of you. Will you grant it?
gpt
Ask, oh lovely lady; and in spite of the fact that last night you closed your door upon me, here I am, ready to serve you.
human
I have a favour to ask, Cesare.
gpt
Ask it, then, before I go out.
human
I want to make a long journey with you--to be gone a year.
gpt
A second honeymoon? The like was never known.
human
A journey of a year, do you understand? Take me as your travelling companion, your friend, your servant. For a year, away from here, far away.
gpt
Taking with us our sister, our governess, our dog, our cat, and the whole menagerie?
human
We two alone,
gpt
Ah,
human
What is your decision?
gpt
I will think about it.
human
No. You must decide at once.
gpt
What's the hurry? Are we threatened with an epidemic?
human
Decide now.
gpt
Then I decide--no,
human
And why?
gpt
Because I won't.
human
Tell me your reason.
gpt
I don't wish to travel.
human
You have always enjoyed travelling.
gpt
Well, I enjoy it no more. I am tired, I am old, I will stay at home.
human
I implore you, let us go away, far from here.
gpt
But why do you want to go away?
human
Listen. Don't ask me. Say yes.
gpt
Why do you want to go away, Anna?
human
Because, I want to go. Do me the favour.
gpt
Is my lady flying from some danger that threatens her virtue? From some unhappy love?
human
There's something more than my virtue in danger. I am flying from an unhappy love, Cesare,
gpt
Heavens! And am I to mix myself up in these tragical complications? No, Anna, no, I sha'n't budge.
human
Is there no prayer that can move you. Will you always answer no?
gpt
I shall always say no.
human
Even if I begged you at the point of death?
gpt
Fortunately your health is excellent,
human
We may all die--from one moment to another, she answered, simply.
gpt
Let us go away together, Cesare.
human
I have said no, and I mean no, Anna. Don't try to change me. You know it's useless.
gpt
Then will you grant me another favour? This one you will grant.
human
Let's hear it.
gpt
Let us go and live alone in the palace in Via Gerolimini.
human
In that ugly house?
gpt
Let us live there alone together.
human
Alone? How do you mean?
gpt
Alone, you and I.
human
Without Laura?
gpt
Without Laura.
human
Ah,