Probablyourcoachmanthoughtthat,havingarunawaycoupletodrive,heoughttomakesomepretence,atleast,offearingpursuit;forhesetoffatsuchafuriouspacethatourfourhalf-starvedhorsesweresoonbeat,andwehadtoperformtheremainderofthelong,hot,dustyjourneyatafoot’space。Ihaveforgottenhowwemadethetimepass。
Ithinkwesleptagooddeal。IknowwewerebothverytiredandatriflecrosswhenintheeveningwereachedLongarone,asmall,poverty-strickenvillage,onthevergeofthatdolomiteregionwhich,intheselatterdays,hasbecomesofrequentedbysummertourists。
Touristsusuallyleaveintheirwakesomeoftheadvantagesaswellasthedrawbacksofcivilisation;andprobablythereisnowarespectablehotelatLongarone。Isuppose,therefore,thatImaysay,withoutriskoflayingmyselfopentoanactionforslander,thatamorefilthydenthanthe/osteria/beforewhichmychargeandIalightednoimagination,howeverdisordered,couldconceive。Itwasavast,dismalbuilding,whichhaddoubtlessbeenthepalaceofsomerichcitizenoftherepublicindaysofyore,butwhichhadnowfallenintodishonouredoldage。Itswindowsandoutsideshuttersweretightlyclosed,andhadbeenso,apparently,fromtimeimmemorial;avilesmellofrancidoilandgarlicpervadeditineverypart;thecornicesofitshuge,bareroomswerefestoonedwithblackenedcobwebs,andthedustanddirtofageshadbeensufferedtoaccumulateuponthestonefloorsofitscorridors。Thesignorinatuckedupherpetticoatsasshepickedherwayalongthepassagestoherbedroom,whileIremainedbehindtoorderdinnerofthesulky,black-browedpadronatowhomI
hadalreadyhadtoexplainthatmycompanionandIwerenotmanandwife,andwho,Ifear,hadconsequentlyconceivednoveryhighopinionofus。Happilythepriesthadalreadybeenwarnedbytelegramthathisservicewouldnotberequireduntilthemorrow;soIwassparedthenuisanceofaninterviewwithhim。
Afteratimewesatdowntoourtete-a-tetedinner。Suchadinner!
EvenafteralapseofalltheseyearsIamunabletothinkofitwithoutashudder。Halffamishedthoughwewere,wecouldnotdomuchmorethanlookatthegreaterpartofthedisheswhichweresetbeforeus;andtheclimaxwasreachedwhenwewereservedwithanastonishingcompote,madeup,sofarasIwasabletojudge,ofequalproportionsofpreservedplumsandmustard,towhichvinegarandsugarhadbeensuperadded。BoththesignorinaandIpartookofthishorriblemixture,foritreallylookedasifitmightberathernice;andwhen,afterthefirstmouthful,eachofuslookedup,andsawtheother’sfaceofagonyandalarm,weburstintoasimultaneouspealoflaughter。Uptothatmomentwehadbeenverysolemnanddepressed;butthelaughdidusgood,andsentustobedinsomewhatbetterspirits;andthemalignantcompoteatleastdidustheserviceofeffectuallybanishingourappetite。
Iforbeartoenlargeuponthehorrorsofthenight。Mosquitos,andotherinsects,which,forsomereasonorother,weEnglishseldommention,saveunderamodestpseudonym,workedtheirwickedwilluponmetilldaybreaksetmefree;andIpresumethatthefairBiancawasnobetteroff,forwhenthebreakfasthourarrivedIreceivedamessagefromhertotheeffectthatshewasunabletoleaveherroom。
Iwassittingovermydrearylittlerepast,wonderinghowIshouldgetthroughtheday,andspeculatinguponthepossibilityofmyreleasebeforenightfall,andIhadjustconcludedthatImustmakeupmymindtofaceanothernightwiththemosquitosandtheirhardyallies,when,tomygreatjoy,aslatternlyserving-maidcamelollopingintotheroom,andannouncedthatagentlemanstylinghimself"/ilContediRosenau/"hadarrivedanddemandedtoseemeinstantly。Herewasapieceofunlooked-forgoodfortune!Ijumpedup,andflewtothedoortoreceivemyfriend,whosefootstepsIalreadyheardonthethreshold。
"Mydear,goodsoul!"Icried,"thisistoodelightful!Howdidyoumanage————"
Theremainderofmysentencediedawayuponmylips;for,alas!itwasnotthemissingAlbertowhomIhadnearlyembraced,butastout,red-
faced,white-moustachedgentleman,whowasinaviolentpassion,judgingbytheterrificsaluteofTeutonicexpletiveswithwhichhegreetedmyadvance。Thenhe,too,desistedassuddenlyasIhaddone,andwebothfellbackafewpaces,andstaredateachotherblankly。
Thenew-comerwasthefirsttorecoverhimself。
"Thisissomeaccursedmistake,"saidhe,inGerman。
"Evidently,"saidI。
"ButtheytoldmethatyouandanItalianyoungladyweretheonlystrangersinthehouse。"
"Well,sir,"Isaid,"Ican’thelpitifweare。Thehouseisnotofakindlikelytoattractstrangers;andIassureyouthat,ifIcouldconsultmyownwishes,thenumberofguestswouldsoonbereducedbyone。"
Heappearedtobeaverycholericoldperson。"Sir,"saidhe,"youseemdisposedtocarrythingsoffwithahighhand;butIsuspectthatyouknowmorethanyouchoosetoreveal。Besogoodastotellmethenameoftheladywhoisstayinghere。"
"Ithinkyouareforgettingyourself,"Iansweredwithdignity。"I
mustdeclinetogratifyyourcuriosity。"
Hestuckhisarmsakimbo,andplantedhimselfdirectlyinfrontofme,frowningominously。"Letuswastenomorewords,"hesaid。"IfIhavemadeamistake,Ishallbereadytoofferyouafullapology。Ifnot——
Butthatisnothingtothepurpose。IamLieutenant-GeneralGrafvonRosenau,atyourservice,andIhavereasontobelievethatmyson,GrafAlbrechtvonRosenau,alieutenantinhisImperialandRoyalMajesty’s99thCroatRegiment,hasmadearunawaymatchwithacertainSignorinaBiancaMarinelliofVenice。AreyoupreparedtogivemeyourwordofhonourasagentlemanandanEnglishmanthatyouarenotprivytothisaffair?"
AttheseterriblewordsIfeltmybloodruncold。Imayhavelostmypresenceofmind;butIdon’tknowhowIcouldhavegotoutofthedilemmaevenifIhadpreservedit。
"Yoursonhasnotyetarrived,"Istammered。
Hepounceduponmelikeacatuponamouse,andgrippedbothmyarmsabovetheelbow。"Ishemarried?"hehissed,withhisrednoseacoupleofinchesfrommine。
"No,"Ianswered,"heisnot。PerhapsIhadbettersayatoncethatifyouusepersonalviolenceIshalldefendmyself,inspiteofyourage。"
Uponthishewaskindenoughtorelaxhishold。
"Andpray,sir,"heresumed,inasomewhatmoretemperatetone,afterashortperiodofreflection,"whathaveyoutodowithallthis?"
"Iamnotboundtoansweryourquestions,HerrGraf,"Ireplied;"but,asthingshaveturnedout,Ihavenospecialobjectiontodoingso。
Outofpuregood-naturetoyourson,whowasdetainedbydutyinVeniceatthelastmoment,IconsentedtobringtheSignorinaMarinellihereyesterday,andtoawaithisarrival,whichIamnowexpecting。"
"Soyouranawaywiththegirl,insteadofAlbrecht,didyou?Ho,ho,ho!"
Ihadseldomheardamoregratingordisagreeablelaugh。
"Ididnothingofthesort,"Ianswered,tartly。"Isimplyundertooktoseehersafelythroughthefirststageofherjourney。"
"Andyouwillhavethepleasureofseeingherback,Iimagine;forasformyrascalofaboy,Imeantotakehimoffhomewithmeassoonashearrives;andIcanassureyouthatIhavenointentionofprovidingmyselfwithadaughter-in-lawinthecourseoftheday。"
Ibegantofeelnotalittlealarmed。"YoucannothavethebrutalitytoleavemeherewithayoungwomanwhomIamscarcelysomuchasacquaintedwithonmyhands!"Iejaculated,halfinvoluntarily。"WhatintheworldshouldIdo?"
Theoldgentlemangaveventtoamalevolentchuckle。"Uponmyword,sir,"saidhe,"Icanonlyseeonecourseopentoyouasamanofhonour。Youmustmarryheryourself。"
AtthisIfairlylostallpatience,andgavetheGrafmyopinionofhisconductintermstheplainnessofwhichleftnothingtobedesired。Iincludedhim,hisson,andtheentireGermanpeopleinonesweepinganathema。NoEnglishman,Isaid,wouldhavebeencapableofeitherinsultinganinnocentlady,orofsobaselyleavinginthelurchonewhoseonlyfaulthadbeenatoogreatreadinesstosacrificehisownconveniencetotheinterestsofothers。MyindignationlentmeaflowofwordssuchasIshouldneverhavebeenabletocommandincalmermoments;andIdaresayIshouldhavecontinuedinthesamestrainforanindefinitetime,hadInotbeensummarilycutshortbytheentranceofathirdperson。
Therewasnooccasionforthislastintrudertoannouncehimself,inavoiceofthunder,astheMarcheseMarinelli。Ihadatoncerecognisedtheoriginalofthesignorina’sphotograph,andIperceivedthatIwasnowinaboutasuncomfortableapositionasmybitterestenemycouldhavedesiredforme。TheGermanoldgentlemanhadbeenveryangryattheoutset;buthiswrath,ascomparedwiththatoftheItalian,wasasabreezetoahurricane。Themarchesewasliterallyquiveringfromheadtofootwithconcentratedfury。Hisfacewasdeadlywhite,hisstronglymarkedfeaturestwitchedconvulsively,hiseyesblazedlikethoseofawildanimal。Havingstatedhisidentityinthemanneralreadyreferredto,hemadetwostridestowardthetablebywhichI
wasseated,andstoodglaringatmeasthoughhewouldhavesprungatmythroat。IthoughtitmightavertconsequenceswhichweshouldbothafterwarddeploreifIweretoplacethetablebetweenus;andIdidsowithoutlossoftime。FromtheothersideofthatbarrierIadjuredmyvisitortokeepcool,pledginghimmyword,inthesamebreath,thattherewasnoharmdoneasyet。
"Noharm!"herepeated,inastridentshoutthatechoedthroughthebareroom。"Dog!Villain!Youensnaremydaughter’saffections——youenticeherawayfromherfather’shouse——youcovermyfamilywitheternaldisgrace——andthenyoudaretotellmethereisnoharmdone!
Waitalittle,andyoushallseethattherewillbeharmenoughforyou。Marryheryoumust,sinceyouhaveruinedher;butyoushalldieforitthenextday!ItisI——I,LudovicoMarinelli——whoswearit!"
IamawarethatIdobutscantjusticetothemarchese’sinimitablestyle。Theabovesentencesmustbeimaginedashurledforthinaseriesofyells,withapantbetweeneachofthem。AsamelodramaticactorthisterrificMarinelliwould,Iamsure,haverisentothefirstrankinhisprofession。
"Signore,"Isaid,"youareunderamisapprehension。Ihaveensnarednobody’saffections,andIamentirelyguiltlessofallthecrimeswhichyouarepleasedtoattributetome。"
"What?Areyounot,then,thehoundwhobearsthevileanddishonourednameofVonRosenau?"
"Iamnot。Ibearthelessdistinguished,but,Ihope,equallyrespectablepatronymicofJenkinson。"
Butmymodestdisclaimerpassedunheeded,fornowanothercombatanthadthrownhimselfintothefray。
"Vileanddishonouredname!Nooneshallpermithimselfsuchlanguageinmypresence。IamLieutenant-GeneralGrafvonRosenau,sir,andyoushallanswertomeforyourwords。"
TheHerrGraf’sknowledgeofItalianwassomewhatlimited;but,suchasitwas,ithadenabledhimtocatchthesenseofthestigmacastuponhisfamily,andnowhewasuponhisfeet,redandgobbling,likeaturkey-cock,andpreparedtodobattlewithahundredirateVenetiansifneedwere。
Themarchesestaredathiminblankamazement。"/You!/"heejaculated——"youVonRosenau!Itisincredible——preposterous。Why,youareoldenoughtobehergrandfather。"
"Notoldenoughtobeinmydotage,——asIshouldbeifIpermittedmysontomarryabeggarlyItalian,——nortoooldtopunishimpertinenceasitdeserves,"retortedtheGraf。
"Yourson?Youarethefatherthen?Itisallthesametome。Iwillfightyouboth。Butthemarriageshalltakeplacefirst。"
"Itshallnot。"
"Itshall。"
"InsolentslaveofanItalian,Iwillmakeyoueatyourwords!"
"TriplebruteofaGerman,Ispituponyou!"
"Silence,sir!"
"Silenceyourself!"
DuringthisanimateddialogueIsatapart,softlyrubbingmyhands。
Whatahappydispensationitwouldbe,Icouldnothelpthinking,ifthesetwooldmadmenweretoexterminateeachother,liketheKilkennycats!Anyhow,theirattentionwaseffectuallydivertedfrommyhumbleperson,andthatwassomethingtobethankfulfor。
NeverbeforehadIbeenprivilegedtolistentosorichavocabularyofvituperation。Eachdisputanthadexpressedhimself,afterthefirstfewwords,inhisownlanguage,andbetweenthemtheywerenowmakinghubbubenoughtobringtheoldhousedownabouttheirears。Upcamethepadronatoseethefun;upcameherfathusband,inhisshirt-
sleevesandslippers;andherlong-leggedsons,andhertousle-headeddaughters,andthemaid-servant,andthecook,andtheostler——thewholeestablishment,infact,collectedattheopenfolding-doors,andwatchedwithdelighttheprogressofthisbattleofwords。Lastofall,apoorlittletremblingfigure,withpalefaceandeyesbigwithfright,creptin,andstood,handonheart,alittleinadvanceofthegroup。Islippedtoherside,andofferedherachair,butsheneitheransweredmenornoticedmypresence。Shewasstaringatherfatherasabirdstaresatasnake,andseemedunabletorealiseanythingexcepttheterriblefactthathehadfollowedandfoundher。
Presentlytheoldmanwheeledround,andbecameawareofhisdaughter。
"Unhappygirl!"heexclaimed,"whatisthisthatyouhavedone?"
Igreatlyfearthatthemarchese’spaternalcorrectionsmusthavesometimestakenamorepracticalshapethanmereverbalupbraidings;
forpoorBiancashrankback,throwinguponearm,asiftoshieldherface,and,withawildcryof"Alberto!cometome!"fellintothearmsofthattardylover,whoatthatappropriatemomenthadmadehisappearance,unobserved,uponthescene。
Thepolyglotdisturbancethatensuedbafflesalldescription。Indeed,Ishouldbepuzzledtosayexactlywhattookplace,orafterhowmanycommands,defiances,threats,protestations,insults,andexplanations,asemblanceofpeacewasfinallyrestored。Ionlyknowthat,attheexpirationofacertaintime,threeofusweresittingbytheopenwindow,inasoftenedandsubduedframeofmind,consideratelyturningourbacksupontheothertwo,whowerebiddingeachotherfarewellatthefartherendoftheroom。
ItwasthefaithlessJohann,asIgathered,whowasresponsibleforthiscatastrophe。Hisheart,itappeared,hadfailedhimwhenhehaddiscoveredthatnothinglessthanabona-fidemarriagewastobetheoutcomeofthemeetingshehadshownsomuchskillincontriving,and,fullofpenitenceandalarm,hehadwrittentohisoldmaster,divulgingthewholeproject。Itsohappenedthatarecentstorminthemountainshadinterruptedtelegraphiccommunication,forthetime,betweenAustriaandVenice,andtheonlycoursethathadseemedopentoHerrvonRosenauwastostartpost-hasteforthelatterplace,where,indeed,hewouldhavearrivedadaytoolatehadnotAlbrecht’scolonelseenfittopostponehisleave。InthislattercircumstancealsothehandofJohannseemeddiscernible。Asforthemarchese,I
supposehemusthavereturnedrathersoonerthanhadbeenexpectedfromPadua,andfindinghisdaughtergone,musthaveextortedthetruthfromhishousekeeper。Hedidnotvolunteeranyexplanationofhispresence,norwereanyofusboldenoughtoquestionhim。
AsIhavesaidbefore,Ihavenoveryclearrecollectionofhowanunderstandingwasarrivedatandbloodshedavertedandthepadronaandhersatelliteshustleddownstairsagain。PerhapsImayhavehadsomeshareintheworkofpacification。Bethatasitmay,whenoncetheexasperatedparentshaddiscoveredthattheybothreallywantedthesamething,——namely,torecoverpossessionoftheirrespectiveoffspring,togohome,andnevermeeteachotheragain,——aspeciesoftrucewassoonagreeduponbetweenthemforthepurposeofseparatingthetwolovers,whoallthistimewerelockedineachother’sarms,intheprettiestattitudeintheworld,vowingloudlythatnothingshouldeverpartthem。
Howoftensincetheworldbeganhavesuchvowsbeenmadeandbroken——
broken,notwillingly,butofnecessity——brokenandmournedover,and,induecourseoftime,forgotten!IlookedattheMarchesediSanSilvestrotheothernight,asshesaileduptheroominherlaceanddiamonds,withherfatlittlehusbandtoddlingafterher,andwonderedwhether,inthesedaysofhermagnificence,sheevergaveathoughttoherlostAlberto——Alberto,whohasbeenmarriedhimselfthismanyalongday,andhassucceededtohisfather’sestates,andhasnumerousfamily,Iamtold。Atallevents,shewasunhappyenoughoverpartingwithhimatthetime。Thetwooldgentlemen,who,asholdersofthepurse-strings,knewthattheywerecompletelymastersofthesituation,andcouldaffordtobegenerous,showedsomekindlinessoffeeingatthelast。Theyallowedthepoorloversanuninterruptedhalf-hourinwhichtobideachotheradieuforever,andabstainedfromanyneedlessharshnessinmakingtheirdecisionknown。Whenthetimewasup,twotravelling-carriageswereseenwaitingatthedoor。CountvonRosenaupushedhissonbeforehimintothefirst;themarcheseassistedthehalf-faintingBiancaintothesecond;thevetturinicrackedtheirwhips,andpresentlybothvehicleswererollingaway,theonetowardthenorth,theothertowardthesouth。Isupposetheyoungpeoplehadbeenpromisingtoremainfaithfultoeachotheruntilsomehappierfuturetimeshouldpermitoftheirunion,foratthelastmomentAlbrechtthrusthisheadoutofthecarriagewindow,and,wavinghishand,cried,"/Arivederci!/"Idon’tknowwhethertheyevermetagain。
Thewholescene,Iconfess,hadaffectedmeagooddeal,inspiteofsomeoftheabsurditiesbywhichithadbeenmarked;anditwasnotuntilIhadbeenaloneforsometime,andsilencehadoncemorefallenupontheLongarone/osteria/,thatIawoketothefactthatitwas/my/carriagewhichtheMarcheseMarinellihadcalmlyappropriatedtohisownuse,andthattherewasnovisiblemeansofmygettingbacktoVenicethatday。Greatwasmyangerandgreatmydismaywhentheostlerannouncedthisnewstome,withabroadgrin,inreplytomyordertoputthehorsestowithoutdelay。
"Butthemarchesehimself——howdidhegethere?"Iinquired。
"Oh,hecamebythediligence。"
"Andthecount——theyounggentleman?"
"Onhorseback,signore;butyoucannothavehishorse。Thepoorbeastishalfdeadasitis。"
"ThenwillyoutellmehowIamtoescapefromyourinfernaltown?Fornothingshallinducemetopassanothernighthere。"
"Eh!thereisthediligencewhichgoesthroughattwoo’clockinthemorning!"
Therewasnohelpforit。Isatupforthatdiligence,andreturnedbyittoMestre,seatedbetweenaCapuchinmonkandapeasantfarmerwhosewholesystemappearedtobesaturatedwithgarlic。IcouldscarcelyhavefaredworseinmybedatLongarone。
Andsothatwasmyrewardforanactofdisinterestedkindness。Itisonlyexperiencethatcanteachamantoappreciatetheingrainedthanklessnessofthehumanrace。Iwasobligedtomakeacleanbreastofittomysister,whoofcoursedidnotkeepthesecretlong;andforsometimeafterwardIhadtosubmittoagooddealofmildchaffuponthesubjectfrommyfriends。Butitisanoldstorynow,andtwooftheactorsinitaredead,andoftheremainingthreeIdaresayI
amtheonlyonewhocarestorecallit。Eventomeitisasomewhatpainfulreminiscence。
GONERIL
BY
A。MARYF。ROBINSON
CHAPTERI
THETWOOLDLADIES
OnoneofthepleasanthillsroundFlorence,alittlebeyondCamerata,therestandsahousesosmallthatanEnglishmanwouldprobablytakeitforalodgeofthegreatvillabehind,whosegardentreesatsunsetcasttheirshadowoverthecottageanditsterraceontothesteepwhiteroad。Butanyofthecountrypeoplecouldtellhimthatthis,too,isa/casasignorile/,despiteitssmallness。Itstandssomewhathighabovetheroad,asquarewhitehousewithaprojectingroof,andwithfourgreen-shutteredwindowsoverlookingthegaybutnarrowterrace。ThebedsunderthewindowswouldhavefulfilledthefancyofthatFrenchpoetwhodesiredthatinhisgardenonemight,ingatheringanosegay,cullasalad,fortheyboastedlittleelsethansweetbasil,smallandwhite,andsometallgrayrosemarybushes。
Nearertothedooranunusuallylargeoleanderfacedastrongandsturdymagnolia-tree,andthese,withtheirprofusionofredandwhitesweetness,madeamendsforthedearthofgardenflowers。Ateitherendoftheterraceflourishedathicketofgum-cistus,syringa,stephanotis,andgeraniumbushes;andthewallitself,droppingsheerdowntotheroad,wasborderedwiththecustomaryFlorentinehedgeofChinarosesandirises,nowoutofbloom。Greatterra-cottaflower-
pots,coveredwithdevices,wereplacedatintervalsalongthewall;
asitwassummer,theorangesandlemons,fullofwonderfullysweetwhiteblossomsandyounggreenfruit,weresetthereinthesuntoripen。
Itwasthe17thofJune。Althoughitwasafterfouro’clock,theolivesonthesteephillthatwentdowntoFlorencelookedblindinglywhite,shadeless,andsharp。Theairtrembledroundthebrightgreencypressesbehindthehouse。Theroofsteamed。Allthewindowswereshut,allthejalousiesshut,yetitwassohotthatnoonecouldstirwithin。Themaidsleptinthekitchen;thetwoelderlymistressesofthehousedozedupontheirbeds。Notamovement;notasound。
GraduallyalongthesteeproadfromCameratatherecamearollofdistantcarriage-wheels。Thesoundcamenearerandnearer,tillonecouldseethecarriage,andseethedriverleadingthetired,thin,cab-horse,hisbonesstartingundertheshaggyhide。Insidethecarriagereclinedahandsome,middle-agedlady,withasternprofileturnedtowardtheroad;ayounggirlinpalepinkcottonandabroadhattrudgedupthehillattheside。
"Goneril,"saidMissHamelyn,"letmebegyouagaintocomeinsidethecarriage。"
"Ohno,AuntMargaret;I’mnotabittired。"
"ButIhaveaskedyou;thatisreasonenough。"
"It’ssohot!"criedGoneril。
"ThatiswhyIobjecttoyourwalking。"
"Butifit’ssohotforme,justthinkhowhotismustbeforthehorse。"
Gonerilcastacommiseratingglanceatthepoor,halting,wheezingnag。
"Thehorse,probably,"rejoinedMissHamelyn,"doesnotsufferfrommalaria,neitherhashekepthisauntinFlorencenursinghimtillthemiddleheatofthesummer。"
"True!"saidGoneril。Then,afterafewminutes,"I’llgetin,AuntMargaret,ononecondition。"
"Inmytimeyoungpeopledidnotmakeconditions。"
"Verywell,auntie;I’llgetin,andyoushallanswerallmyquestionswhenyoufeelinclined。"
Thecarriagestopped。Thepoorhorsepantedathisease,whilethegirlseatedherselfbesideMissHamelyn。Thenforafewminutestheydroveoninsilencepasttheorchards;pasttheolive-yards,yellowunderneaththeripeningcorn;pastthesuddenwideviewsofthemountains,faintlycrimsoninthemistofheat,and,ontheotherside,ofFlorence,thetowersanddomessteamingbesidethehazyriver。
"Howhotitlooksdownthere!"criedGoneril。
"Howhotit/feels/!"echoedMissHamelyn,rathergrimly。
"Yes,Iamsogladyoucangetawayatlast,dear,pooroldauntie。"
Then,alittlelater,"Won’tyoutellmesomethingabouttheoldladieswithwhomyouaregoingtoleaveme?"
MissHamelynwasmollifiedbyGoneril’sobedience。
"Theyareveryniceoldladies,"shesaid;"ImetthematMrs。
Gorthrup’s。"Butthiswasnotatallwhattheyounggirlwanted。
"Onlythink,AuntMargaret,"shecried,impatiently,"Iamtostaythereforatleastsixweeks,andIknownothingaboutthem,notwhatagetheyare,noriftheyaretallorshort,jollyorprim,pretty,orugly,noteveniftheyspeakEnglish!"
"TheyspeakEnglish,"saidMissHamelyn,beginningattheend。"OneofthemisEnglish,oratleastIrish:MissPrunty。"
"Andtheother?"
"SheisanItalian,SignoraPetrucci;sheusedtobeveryhandsome。"
"Oh!"saidGoneril,lookingpleased。"I’mgladshe’shandsome,andthattheyspeakEnglish。Buttheyarenotrelations?"
"No,theyarenotconnected;theyarefriends。"
"Andhavetheyalwayslivedtogether?"
"EversinceMadameLillidied,"andMissHamelynnamedaverycelebratedsinger。
"Why!"criedGoneril,quiteexcited;"weretheysingerstoo?"
"MadamePetrucci;neverthelessaladyofthehighestrespectability。
MissPruntywasMadameLilli’ssecretary。"
"Hownice!"criedtheyounggirl;"howinteresting!Oauntie,I’msogladyoufoundthemout。"
"SoamI,child;butpleaserememberitisnotanordinarypension。
Theyonlytakeyou,Goneril,tillyouarestrongenoughtotravel,asanespecialfavourtomeandtotheiroldfriend,Mrs。Gorthrup。"
"I’llremember,auntie。"
Bythistimetheyweredrivingundertheterraceinfrontofthelittlehouse。
"Goneril,"saidtheelderlady,"Ishallleaveyououtside;youcanplayinthegardenortheorchard。"
"Verywell。"
MissHamelynleftthecarriageandascendedthesteeplittleflightofstepsthatleadsfromtheroadtothecottagegarden。
Intheporchasingularfigurewasawaitingher。
"Good-afternoon,MadamePetrucci,"saidMissHamelyn。
Aslenderoldlady,oversixty,rathertall,inabrownsilkskirt,andawhiteburnoosethatshowedtheshrunkenslimnessofherarms,cameeagerlyforward。Shewasratherpretty,withsmallrefinedfeatures,largeexpressionlessblueeyes,andlongwhitish-yellowringletsdownhercheeks,inthefashionoffortyyearsago。
"Oh,/dear/MissHamelyn,"shecried,"how/glad/Iamtoseeyou!Andhaveyoubroughtyour/charming/youngrelation?"
Shespokewithalanguidforeignaccent,andwithanemphaticandbountifuluseofadjectives,thatgavetoourseverergenerationanimpressionofinsincerity。YetitwassaidwithtruththatGiuliaPetruccihadneverforgottenafriendnoranenemy。
"Gonerilisoutside,"saidMissHamelyn。"HowisMissPrunty?"
"Brigida?Oh,youmustcomeinsideandseemyinvaluableBrigida。Sheis,asusual,fatiguingherselfwithouraccounts。"Theoldladyledthewayintothedarkenedparlour。Itwassmallandratherstiff。Asone’seyesbecameaccustomedtothedimgreenlightonenoticedtheincongruityofthefurniture:thehorsehairchairsandsofa,andlargeaccountant’sdeskwithledgers;thelargePleyelgrandpiano;abookcase,inwhichallthebookswererarecopiesorpricelessMSS。ofold-fashionedoperas;hangingagainstthewallaninlaidguitarandsomefadedlaurelcrowns;moreover,afineengravingofacomposer,twentyyearsagothemostpopularmaninItaly;lastly,anoil-colourportrait,byWinterman,ofafascinatingblonde,withverybarewhiteshoulders,holdinginherhandsascroll,onwhichwereinscribedsomenotesofmusic,underthetitleGiuliaPetrucci。Inshort,theprivateparlourofanelderlyandrespectabledivaoftheyear’40。
"Brigida!"criedMadamePetrucci,goingtothedoor。"Brigida!ourcharmingEnglishfriendisarrived!"
"Allright!"answeredastrong,heartyvoicefromupstairs。"I’mcoming。"
"Youmustexcuseme,dearMissHamelyn,"wentonMadamePetrucci。"Youmustexcusemeforshoutinginyourpresence,butwehaveonlyonelittleservant,andduringthissuffocatingweatherIfindthatanymovementremindsmeofapproachingage。"Theoldladysmiledasifthattimewerestillfarahead。
"Iamsureyououghttotakecareofyourself,"saidMissHamelyn。"I
hopeyouwillnotallowGoneriltofatigueyou。"
"Gonerilla!Whataprettyname!Charming!Isupposeitisinyourfamily?"askedtheoldlady。
MissHamelynblushedalittle,forherniece’snamewasasorepointwithher。
"It’sanawfulnameforanyChristianwoman,"saidadeepvoiceatthedoor。"Andpray,who’scalledGoneril?"
MissPruntycameforward:ashort,thick-setwomanoffifty,withfinedarkeyes,and,eveninaFlorentinesummer,withsomethingstiffandmasculineinthefashionofherdress。
"Andhaveyoubroughtyourniece?"shesaid,assheturnedtoMissHamelyn。
"Yes,sheisinthegarden。"
"Well,Ihopesheunderstandsthatshe’llhavetoroughithere。"
"Gonerilisaverysimplegirl,"saidMissHamelyn。
"Soit’sshethat’scalledGoneril?"
"Yes,"saidtheaunt,makinganeffort。"OfcourseIamawareofthestrangenessofthename,but——but,infact,mybrotherwasdevotedlyattachedtohiswife,whodiedatGoneril’sbirth。"
"Whew!"whistledMissPrunty。"Theparsonmusthavebeenafoolwhochristenedher!"
"Hedid,infact,refuse;butmybrotherwouldhavenobaptismsavingwiththatname,which,unfortunately,itisimpossibletoshorten。"
"Ithinkitisacharmingname!"saidMadamePetrucci,comingtotherescue。"Gonerilla——itdiesonone’slipslikemusic!Andifyoudonotlikeit,Brigida,what’sinaname?asyourcharmingByronsaid。"
"Ihopeweshallmakeherhappy,"saidMissPrunty。
"Ofcourseweshall!"criedtheelderlady。
"Goneriliseasilymadehappy,"assertedMissHamelyn。
"That’sagoodthing,snappedMissPrunty,"forthere’snotmuchheretomakeherso!"
"OBrigida!Iamsuretherearemanyattractions。Theair,theview,thehistoricassociation!and,morethanall,youknowthereisalwaysachanceofthesignorino!"
"Ofwhom?"saidMissHamelyn,ratheranxiously。
"Ofhim!"criedMadamePetrucci,pointingtotheengravingopposite。
"Helives,ofcourse,inthecapital;butherentsthevillabehindourhouse,——theMediciVilla,——andwhenheistiredofRomeherunsdownhereforaweekorso;andsoyourGonerillamayhavethebenefitof/his/society!"
"Verynice,I’msure,"saidMissHamelyn,greatlyrelieved;forsheknewthatSignorGrazianomustbefifty。
"Wehaveknownhim,"wentontheoldlady,"verynearlythirtyyears。
Heusedtolargelyfrequentthesalonofourdear,ourcherishedMadameLilli。"
Thetearscameintotheoldlady’seyes。Nodoubtthosedaysseemednearanddeartoher;shedidnotseethedustonthosefadedtriumphs。
"That’sallstalenews!"criedMissPrunty,jumpingup。"AndGon’ril(sinceI’llhavetocallherso)mustbetiredofwaitinginthegarden。"
Theywalkedoutontotheterrace。Thegirlwasnotthere,butbythegateintotheolive-yard,wheretherewasalean-toshedfortools,theyfoundhersittingonacask,whittlingapieceofwoodandtalkingtoacurly-headedlittlecontadino。
Hearingsteps,Gonerilturnedround。"Hewasasleep,"shesaid。
"Fancy,insuchbeautifulweather!"
Then,rememberingthattwooftheladieswerestillstrangers,shemadeanold-fashionedlittlecourtesy。
"Ihopeyouwon’tfindmeatrouble,ladies,"shesaid。
"Sheischarming!"saidMadamePetrucci,throwingupherhands。
Gonerilblushed;herhathadslippedbackandshowedhershortbrowncurlsofhair,strongregularfeatures,andflexilescarletmouthlaughingupwardlikeafaun’s。Shehadsweetdarkeyes,alittletoosmallandnarrow。
"Imeantobeveryhappy,"sheexclaimed。
"Alwaysmeanthat,mydear,"saidMissPrunty。
"Andnow,sinceGonerillaisnolongerastranger,"addedMadamePetrucci,"wewillleavehertotherusticsocietyofAngiolinowhileweshowMissHamelynourorangery。"
"Andconcludeourbusiness!"saidBridgetPrunty。
CHAPTERII
THESIGNORINO
Oneday,whenGoneril,muchbrownerandrosierforaweekamongthemountains,cameintolunchatnoon,shefoundnosignsofthatusuallyregularrepast。Thelittlemaidwasonherkneespolishingthefloor;MissPruntywasscolding,dusting,orderingdinner,arrangingvases,allatonce;strangestofall,MadamePetruccihadtakentheoil-clothcoverfromhergrandpiano,and,seatedbeforeit,waspractisinghersweetandfadednotes,unheedfulofthesurroundingdinandbusiness。
"What’sthematter?"criedGoneril。
"Weexpectthesignorino,"saidMissPrunty。
"Andishegoingtostayhere?"
"Don’tbeafool!"snappedthatlady;andthensheadded,"Gointothekitchenandgetsomeofthepastyandsomebreadandcheese——there’sagoodgirl。"
"Allright!"saidGoneril。
MadamePetruccistoppedhervocalising。"Youshallhaveallthebetteradinnertocompensateyou,myGonerilla!"Shesmiledsweetly,andthenagainbecameZerlina。
Gonerilcutherlunch,andtookitoutofdoorstosharewithhercompanion,Angiolino。Hewasharvestingthefirstcornundertheolives,butatnoonitwastoohottowork。Sittingstilltherewas,however,acoolbreezethatgentlystirredthesharp-edgedolive-
leaves。
Angiolinolaydownatfulllengthandmunchedhisbreadandcheeseinperfecthappiness。Gonerilkeptshiftingabouttogetherselfintothenarrowshadowcastbythesplitandwrithentrunk。
"Howaggravatingitis!"shecried。"InEngland,wherethere’snosun,there’splentyofshade;andhere,wherethesunislikeamustard-
plasteronone’sback,theleavesareallsetedgewiseonpurposethattheysha’n’tcastanyshadow!"
Angiolinomadenoanswertothisintelligentremark。
"Heisgoingtosleepagain!"criedGoneril,stoppingherlunchindespair。"Heisgoingtosleep,andtherearenoendofthingsIwanttoknow。Angiolino!"
"/Si/,signora,"murmuredtheboy。
"TellmeaboutSignorGraziano。"
"Heisourpadrone;heisneverhere。"
"Butheiscomingto-day。Wakeup,wakeup,Angiolino。Itellyou,heisontheway!"
"Betweenlifeanddeaththerearesomanycombinations,"drawledtheboy,withTuscanincredulityandsententiousness。
"Ah!"criedthegirl,withalittleshiverofimpatience。"Isheyoung?"
"/Che!/"
"Isheoldthen?"
"/Neppure!/"
"Whatishelike?Hemustbe/something/。"
"He’sourpadrone,"repeatedAngiolino,inwhoseimaginationSignorGrazianocouldoccupynootherplace。
"Howstupidyouare!"exclaimedtheyoungEnglishgirl。
"Maybe,"saidAngiolino,stolidly。
"Isheagoodpadrone?Doyoulikehim?"
"Rather!"Theboysmiledandraisedhimselfononeelbow;hiseyestwinkledwithgood-humouredmalice。
"My/babbo/hadmuchbetterwinethan/quelsignore/,"hesaid。
"Butthatiswrong!"criedGoneril,quiteshocked。
"Whoknows?"
Afterthisconversationflagged。Goneriltriedtoimaginewhatagreatmusiciancouldbelike:longhair,ofcourse;herimaginationdidnotgetmuchbeyondthehair。Hewouldofcoursebemucholdernowthanhisportrait。ThenshewatchedAngiolinocuttingthecorn,andlearnedhowtotietheswathestogether。Shewasoccupiedinthisusefulemploymentwhenthenoiseofwheelsmadethembothstopandlookoverthewall。
"Here’sthepadrone!"criedtheboy。
"Oh,heisold!"saidGoneril。"Heisoldandbrown,likeacoffee-
bean。"
"Tobeoldandgoodisbetterthanyouthwithmalice,"suggestedAngiolino,bywayofconsolation。
"Isupposeso,"acquiescedGoneril。
Neverthelessshewentintodinneralittledisappointed。
Thesignorinowasnotinthehouse;hehadgoneuptothevilla;buthehadsentamessagethatlaterintheeveningheintendedtopayhisrespectstohisoldfriends。MadamePetrucciwasbeautifullydressedinsoftblacksilk,oldlace,andawhiteIndianshawl。MissPruntyhadonherstarchiestcollarandmostformaltie。Gonerilsawitwasnecessarythatshe,likewiseshoulddeckherselfinherbest。Shewasmuchtooyoungandimpressionablenottobeinfluencedbytheflutterofexcitementandinterestwhichfilledthewholeofthelittlecottage。Goneril,too,wasexcitedandanxious,althoughSignorGrazianohadseemedsooldandlikeacoffee-bean。Shemadenoprogressinthepieceofembroideryshewasworkingasapresentforthetwooldladies,jumpingupanddowntolookoutofthewindow。
When,abouteighto’clock,thedoor-bellrang,Gonerilblushed,MadamePetruccigaveaprettylittleshriek,MissPruntyjumpedupandrangforcoffee。Amomentafterwardthesignorinoentered。WhilehewasgreetingherhostessesGonerilcastarapidglanceathim。HewastallforanItalian,ratherbentandrathergray;fiftyatleast——thereforeveryold。Hecertainlywasbrown,buthisfeatureswerefineandgood,andhehadadistinguishedandbenevolentairthatsomehowmadeherthinkofanabbe,aFrenchabbeofthelastcentury。Shecouldquiteimaginehimsaying,"/EnfantdeSt。Louis,montezauciel!/"
Thusfarhadshegotinhermeditationswhenshefeltherselfaddressedinclear,half-mockingtones:
"Andhow,thisevening,isMadamigellaRuth?"
Sohehadseenherthiseveningbindinghiscorn。
"Iamquitewell,padrone,"shesaid,smilingshyly。
Thetwooldladieslookedonamazed,forofcoursetheywerenotinthesecret。
"SignorGraziano,MissGonerilHamelyn,"saidMissPrunty,ratherseverely。
Gonerilfeltthatthetimehadcomeforsilenceandgoodmanners。Shesatquitequietoverherembroidery,listeningtothetalkofSontag,ofClementi,ofmusiciansandsingersdeadandgone。ShenoticedthattheladiestreatedSignoreGrazianowiththeutmostreverence,eventhepositiveMissPruntyfurlingheropinionsindeferencetohisgayesthint。TheytalkedtooofMadameLilli,andalwaysasifshewerestillyoungandfair,asifshehaddiedyesterday,leavingtheechoofhertriumphloudbehindher。AndyetallthishadhappenedyearsbeforeGonerilhadeverseenthelight。
"MeesGonerilisfeelingveryyoung!"saidthesignorino,suddenlyturninghissharp,kindeyesuponher。
"Yes,"saidGoneril,allconfusion。
MadamePetruccilookedalmostannoyed——thegay,serenelittleladythatnothingeverannoyed。
"Itisshethatisyoung!"shecried,inanswertoanunspokenthought。"Sheisababy!"
"Oh,Iamseventeen!"saidGoneril。
Theyalllaughed,andseemedateaseagain。
"Yes,yes;sheisveryyoung,"saidthesignorino。
Butalittleshadowhadfallenacrosstheirplacidentertainment:thespirithadlefttheirmemories;theyseemedtohavegrownshapeless,dusty,asthefreshandcomelyfacesofdeadEtruscankingscrumbleintomouldatthetouchofthepitilesssunshine。
"Signorino,"saidMadamePetrucci,presently,"ifyouwillaccompanymewewillperformoneofyourcharmingmelodies。"
SignorGrazianorosealittlestifflyandledthepretty,witheredlittledivatothepiano。
Gonerillookedon,wondering,admiring。Thesignorino’sthinwhitehandsmadeadelicate,fluentmelody,remindingherofrunningwaterundertherippledshadeoftrees,and,likeahigh,sweetbird,thethin,penetratingnotesofthesingerrose,swelled,anddiedaway,admirablytrueandjusteveninthislatterweakness。AttheendSignorGrazianostoppedhisplayingtogivetimeforanelaboratecadenza。SuddenlyMadamePetruccigasped;asharpdiscordantsoundcrackedthedelicatefinishofhersinging。Sheputherhandkerchieftohermouth。
"Bah!"shesaid,"thiseveningIamabominablyhusky。"
ThetearsrosetoGoneril’seyes。Wasitsohardtogrowold?Thisdoubtmadehervoiceloudestofallinthechorusofmutualpraiseandthankswhichcoveredthesong’sabruptfinale。
Andthentherecameaterribleordeal。MissPrunty,anxioustodivertthecurrentofherfriend’sideas,hadsuggestedthatthegirlshouldsing。SignorGrazianoandmadameinsisted;theywouldtakenorefusal。
"Sing,sing,littlebird!"criedtheoldlady。
"But,madame,howcanone——afteryou?"
Thehomageintheyounggirl’svoicemadethelittledivamoregood-
humouredlyinsistentthanbefore,andGonerilwastoowell-bredtomakeafuss。Shestoodbythepianowonderingwhichtochoose,theHandelsthatshealwaysdrawledorthePinsutithatshealwaysgalloped。Suddenlyshecamebyaninspiration。
"Madame,"shepleaded,"mayIsingoneofAngiolino’ssongs?"
"Whateveryoulike,/caramia/。"
And,standingbythepiano,herarmshangingloose,shebeganachantsuchasthepeasantsuseworkingundertheolives。Hervoicewassmallanddeep,withapeculiarthicksweetnessthatsuitedthesong,halfhumourous,halfpathetic。Thesewerethewordsshesang:
"Vorreimorirdimortepiccinina,Mortalaseraevivalamattina。
Vorreimorire,enonvorreimorire,Vorreivederchimipiangeechiride;
Vorreimorir,estarsullefinestre,Vorreivederchimicucelaveste;
Vorreimorir,estaresullascala,Vorreivederchimiportalabara:
Vorreimorir,evorre’alzarlavoce,Vorreivederchimiportalacroce。"
"Verywellchosen,mydear,"saidMissPrunty,whenthesongwasfinished。
"Andverywellsung,myGonerilla!"criedtheoldlady。
Butthesignorinowentuptothepianoandshookhandswithher。
"LittleMeesGoneril,"hesaid,"youhavethemakingsofanartist。"
Thetwooldladiesstared,for,afterall,Goneril’sperformancehadbeenverysimple。Yousee,theywerebetterversedinmusicthaninhumannature。
CHAPTERIII
SIVIEILLESSEPOUVAIT!
SignorGraziano’susualweekofholidaypassedandlengthenedintoalmosttwomonths,andstillhestayedonatthevilla。Thetwooldladieswerehighlydelighted。
"Atlasthehastakenmyadvice!"criedMissPrunty。"IalwaystoldhimthoseprematuregrayhairscamefromlatehoursandRomanair。"
MadamePetruccishookherheadandgaveameaningsmile。Herfriendshipwiththesignorinohadbegunwhenhewasaladandsheacharmingmarriedwoman;likemanyanotherfriendship,ithadbegunwithaflirtation,andperhaps(whoknows?)shethoughttheflirtationhadrevived。
AsforGoneril,sheconsideredhimthemostcharmingoldmanshehadeverknown,andlikednothingsomuchastogooutawalkwithhim。
That,indeed,wasoneofthesignorino’spleasures;helovedtotaketheyounggirlalloverhisgardensandvineyards,talkingtoherintheamiable,half-petting,half-mockingmannerthathehadadoptedfromthefirst;andtwiceaweekhegaveheramusiclesson。
"Shehasasplendidorgan!"hewouldsay。
"/Vouscroyez/?"flutedMadamePetrucci,withthevilestaccentandthemostaggravatingsmileimaginable。
Itwastheonehobbyofthesignorino’sthatsheregardedwithdisrespect。
Goneriltoowasalittleboredbythemusiclesson,but,ontheotherhand,thewalksdelightedher。
OnedayGonerilwasoutwithherfriend。
"Arethepeasantsverymuchafraidofyou,signore?"sheasked。
"AmIsuchatyrant?"counter-questionedthesignorino。
"No;buttheyarealwaysbeggingmetoaskyouthings。AngiolinowantstoknowifhemaygoforthreedaystoseehisuncleatFiesole。"
"Ofcourse。"
"Butwhy,then,don’ttheyaskyouthemselves?Isittheythinkmesocheeky?"
"PerhapstheythinkIcanrefuseyounothing。"
"/Che!/InthatcasetheywouldaskMadamePetrucci。"
GonerilranontopicksomeChinaroses。Thesignorinostoppedconfounded。
"Itisimpossible!"hecried。"ShecannotthinkIaminlovewithGiulia!ShecannotthinkIamsooldasthat!"
Theideaseemedhorribletohim。HewalkedonveryquicklytillhecameuptoGoneril,whowasbusypluckingrosesinahedge。
"Forwhomarethoseflowers?"heasked。
"SomeareforyouandsomeareforMadamePetrucci。"
"Sheisacharmingwoman,MadamePetrucci。"
"Adearoldlady,"murmuredGoneril,muchmoreinterestedinherposy。
"Old,doyoucallher?"saidthesignorino,ratheranxiously。"I
shouldscarcelycallherthat,thoughofcoursesheisagooddealolderthaneitherofus。"
"Eitherofus!"Gonerillookedupastounded。Couldthesignorinohavesuddenlygonemad?
Heblushedalittleunderhisbrownskinthathadremindedherofacoffee-bean。
"SheisagoodtenyearsolderthanIam,"heexplained。
"Ah,well,tenyearsisn’tmuch。"
"Youdon’tthinkso?"hecried,delighted。Whoknows?shemightnotthinkeventhirtytoomuch。
"Notatthatage,"saidGoneril,blandly。
SignorGrazianocouldthinkofnoreply。