massimilla doni-第4章

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crime〃

〃Doubts！　Say　proof　positive；　my　lady！〃

〃I　swear　to　you　that　I　am　innocent；〃　replied　Clarina。

〃What；　then；　do　I　see　in　that　bed？〃　asked　the　Duke。

〃Old　Ogre！〃　cried　Clarina。　〃If　you　believe　your　eyes　rather　than　my
assertion；　you　have　ceased　to　love　me。　Go；　and　do　not　weary　my　ears！
Do　you　hear？　Go；　Monsieur　le　Duc。　This　young　Prince　will　repay　you　the
million　francs　I　have　cost　you；　if　you　insist。〃

〃I　will　repay　nothing；〃　said　Emilio　in　an　undertone。

〃There　is　nothing　due！　A　million　is　cheap　for　Clara　Tinti　when　a　man
is　so　ugly。　Now；　go；〃　said　she　to　the　Duke。　〃You　dismissed　me；　now　I
dismiss　you。　We　are　quits。〃

At　a　gesture　on　Cataneo's　part；　as　he　seemed　inclined　to　dispute　this
order；　which　was　given　with　an　action　worthy　of　Semiramis；the　part
in　which　la　Tinti　had　won　her　fame；the　prima　donna　flew　at　the　old
ape　and　put　him　out　of　the　room。

〃If　you　do　not　leave　me　in　quiet　this　evening；　we　never　meet　again。
And　my　/never/　counts　for　more　than　yours；〃　she　added。

〃Quiet！〃　retorted　the　Duke；　with　a　bitter　laugh。　〃Dear　idol；　it
strikes　me　that　I　am　leaving　you　/agitata/！〃

The　Duke　departed。

His　mean　spirit　was　no　surprise　to　Emilio。

Every　man　who　has　accustomed　himself　to　some　particular　taste；　chosen
from　among　the　various　effects　of　love；　in　harmony　with　his　own
nature；　knows　that　no　consideration　can　stop　a　man　who　has　allowed　his
passions　to　become　a　habit。

Clarina　bounded　like　a　fawn　from　the　door　to　the　bed。

〃A　prince；　and　poor；　young；　and　handsome！〃　cried　she。　〃Why；　it　is　a
fairy　tale！〃

The　Sicilian　perched　herself　on　the　bed　with　the　artless　freedom　of　an
animal；　the　yearning　of　a　plant　for　the　sun；　the　airy　motion　of　a
branch　waltzing　to　the　breeze。　As　she　unbuttoned　the　wristbands　of　her
sleeves；　she　began　to　sing；　not　in　the　pitch　that　won　her　the　applause
of　an　audience　at　the　/Fenice/；　but　in　a　warble　tender　with　emotion。
Her　song　was　a　zephyr　carrying　the　caresses　of　her　love　to　the　heart。

She　stole　a　glance　at　Emilio；　who　was　as　much　embarrassed　as　she；　for
this　woman　of　the　stage　had　lost　all　the　boldness　that　had　sparkled　in
her　eyes　and　given　decision　to　her　voice　and　gestures　when　she
dismissed　the　Duke。　She　was　as　humble　as　a　courtesan　who　has　fallen　in
love。

To　picture　la　Tinti　you　must　recall　one　of　our　best　French　singers
when　she　came　out　in　/Il　Fazzoletto/；　an　opera　by　Garcia　that　was　then
being　played　by　an　Italian　company　at　the　theatre　in　the　Rue　Lauvois。
She　was　so　beautiful　that　a　Naples　guardsman；　having　failed　to　win　a
hearing；　killed　himself　in　despair。　The　prima　donna　of　the　/Fenice/
had　the　same　refinement　of　features；　the　same　elegant　figure；　and　was
equally　young；　but　she　had　in　addition　the　warm　blood　of　Sicily　that
gave　a　glow　to　her　loveliness。　Her　voice　was　fuller　and　richer；　and
she　had　that　air　of　native　majesty　that　is　characteristic　of　Italian
women。

La　Tintiwhose　name　also　resembled　that　which　the　French　singer
assumedwas　now　seventeen；　and　the　poor　Prince　three…and…twenty。　What
mocking　hand　had　thought　it　sport　to　bring　the　match　so　near　the
powder？　A　fragrant　room　hung　with　rose…colored　silk　and　brilliant　with
wax　lights；　a　bed　dressed　in　lace；　a　silent　palace；　and　Venice！　Two
young　and　beautiful　creatures！　every　ravishment　at　once。

Emilio　snatched　up　his　trousers；　jumped　out　of　bed；　escaped　into　the
dressing…room；　put　on　his　clothes；　came　back　and　hurried　to　the　door。

These　were　his　thoughts　while　dressing：

〃Massimilla；　beloved　daughter　of　the　Doni；　in　whom　Italian　beauty　is
an　hereditary　prerogative；　you　who　are　worthy　of　the　portrait　of
/Margherita/；　one　of　the　few　canvases　painted　entirely　by　Raphael　to
his　glory！　My　beautiful　and　saintly　mistress；　shall　I　not　have
deserved　you　if　I　fly　from　this　abyss　of　flowers？　Should　I　be　worthy
of　you　if　I　profaned　a　heart　that　is　wholly　yours？　No；　I　will　not　fall
into　the　vulgar　snare　laid　for　me　by　my　rebellious　senses！　This　girl
has　her　Duke；　mine　be　my　Duchess！〃

As　he　lifted　the　curtain；　he　heard　a　moan。　The　heroic　lover　looked
round　and　saw　Clarina　on　her　knees；　her　face　hidden　in　the　bed；
choking　with　sobs。　Is　it　to　be　believed？　The　singer　was　lovelier
kneeling　thus；　her　face　invisible；　than　even　in　her　confusion　with　a
glowing　countenance。　Her　hair；　which　had　fallen　over　her　shoulders；
her　Magdalen…like　attitude；　the　disorder　of　her　half…unfastened　dress；
the　whole　picture　had　been　composed　by　the　devil；　who；　as　is　well
known；　is　a　fine　colorist。

The　Prince　put　his　arm　round　the　weeping　girl；　who　slipped　from　him
like　a　snake；　and　clung　to　one　foot；　pressing　it　to　her　beautiful
bosom。

〃Will　you　explain　to　me；〃　said　he；　shaking　his　foot　to　free　it　from
her　embrace；　〃how　you　happen　to　be　in　my　palazzo？　How　the　impoverished
Emilio　Memmi〃

〃Emilio　Memmi！〃　cried　Tinti；　rising。　〃You　said　you　were　a　Prince。〃

〃A　Prince　since　yesterday。〃

〃You　are　in　love　with　the　Duchess　Cataneo！〃　said　she；　looking　at　him
from　head　to　foot。

Emilio　stood　mute；　seeing　that　the　prima　dona　was　smiling　at　him
through　her　tears。

〃Your　Highness　does　not　know　that　the　man　who　had　me　trained　for　the
stagethat　the　Dukeis　Cataneo　himself。　And　your　friend　Vendramini；
thinking　to　do　you　a　service；　let　him　this　palace　for　a　thousand
crowns；　for　the　period　of　my　season　at　the　/Fenice/。　Dear　idol　of　my
heart！〃　she　went　on；　taking　his　hand　and　drawing　him　towards　her；　〃why
do　you　fly　from　one　for　whom　many　a　man　would　run　the　risk　of　broken
bones？　Love；　you　see；　is　always　love。　It　is　the　same　everywhere；　it　is
the　sun　of　our　souls；　we　can　warm　ourselves　whenever　it　shines；　and
herenowit　is　full　noonday。　If　to…morrow　you　are　not　satisfied；
kill　me！　But　I　shall　survive；　for　I　am　a　real　beauty！〃

Emilio　decided　on　remaining。　When　he　signified　his　consent　by　a　nod
the　impulse　of　delight　that　sent　a　shiver　through　Clarina　seemed　to
him　like　a　light　from　hell。　Love　had　never　before　appeared　to　him　in
so　impressive　a　form。

At　that　moment　Carmagnola　whistled　loudly。

〃What　can　he　want　of　me？〃　said　the　Prince。

But　bewildered　by　love；　Emilio　paid　no　heed　to　the　gondolier's
repeated　signals。

If　you　have　never　traveled　in　Switzerland　you　may　perhaps　read　this
description　with　pleasure；　and　if　you　have　clambered　among　those
mountains　you　will　not　be　sorry　to　be　reminded　of　the　scenery。

In　that　sublime　land；　in　the　heart　of　a　mass　of　rock　riven　by　a　gorge；
a　valley　as　wide　as　the　Avenue　de　Neuilly　in　Paris；　but　a　hundred
fathoms　deep　and　broken　into　ravines；flows　a　torrent　coming　from
some　tremendous　height　of　the　Saint…Gothard　on　the　Simplon；　which　has
formed　a　pool；　I　know　not　how　many　yards　deep　or　how　many　feet　long
and　wide；　hemmed　in　by　splintered　cliffs　of　granite　on　which　meadows
find　a　place；　with　fir…trees　between　them；　and　enormous　elms；　and
where　violets　also　grow；　and　strawberries。　Here　and　there　stands　a
chalet　and　at　the　window　you　may　see　the　rosy　face　of　a　yellow…haired
Swiss　girl。　According　to　the　moods　of　the　sky　the　water　in　this　tarn
is　blue　and　green；　but　as　a　sapphire　is　blue；　as　an　emerald　is　green。
Well；　nothing　in　the　world　can　give　such　an　idea　of　depth；　peace；
immensity；　heavenly　love；　and　eternal　happinessto　the　most　heedless
traveler；　the　most　hurried　courier；　the　most　commonplace　tradesmanas
this　liquid　diamond　into　which　the　snow；　gathering　from　the　highest
Alps；　trickles　through　a　natural　channel　hidden　under　the　trees　and
eaten　through　the　rock；　escaping　below　through　a　gap　without　a　sound。
The　watery　sheet　overhanging　the　fall　glides　so　gently　that　no　ripple
is　to　be　seen　on　the　surface　which　mirrors　the　chaise　as　you　drive
past。　The　postboy　smacks　his　whip；　you　turn　past　a　crag；　you　cross　a
bridge：　suddenly　there　is　a　terrific　uproar　of　cascades　tumbling
together　one　upon　another。　The　water；　taking　a　mighty　leap；　is　broken
into　a　hundred　falls；　dashed　to　spray　on　the　boulders；　it　sparkles　in
a　myriad　jets　against　a　mass　that　has　fallen　from　the　heights　that
tower　over　the　ravine　exactly　in　the　middle　of　the　road　that　has　been
so　irresistibly　cut　by　the　most　formidable　of　active　forces。

If　you　have　formed　a　clear　idea　of　this　landscape；　you　will　see　in
those　sleeping　waters　the　image　of　Emilio's　love　for　the　Duchess；　and
in　the　cascades　leaping　like　a　flock　of　sheep；　an　idea　of　his　passion
shared　with　la　Tinti。　In　the　midst　of　his　torrent　of　love　a　rock　stood
up　against　which　the　torrent　broke。　The　Prince；　like　Sisyphus；　was
constantly　under　the　stone。

〃What　on　earth　does　the　Duke　do　with　a　violin？〃　he　wondered。　〃Do　I　owe
this　symphony　to　him？〃

He　asked　Clara　Tinti。

〃My　dear　child；〃for　she　saw　that　Emilio　was　but　a　child；〃dear
child；〃　said　she；　〃that　man；　who　is　a　hundred　and　eighteen　in　the
parish　register　of　vice；　and　only　forty…seven　in　the　register　of　the
Church；　has　but　one　single　joy　left　to　him　in　life。　Yes；　everything　is
broken；　everything　in　him　is　ruin　or　rags；　his　soul；　intellect；　heart；
nerves；everything　in　man　that　can　supply　an　impulse　and　remind　him
of　heaven；　either　by　desire　or　enjoyment；　is　bound　up　with　music；　or
rather　with　one　of　the　many　effects　produced　by　music；　the　perfect
unison　of　two　voices；　or　of　a　voice　with　the　top　string　of　his　violin。
The　old　ape　sits　on　my　knee；　takes　his　instrument；he　plays　fairly
well；he　produces　the　notes；　and　I　try　to　imitate　them。　Then；　when
the　long…sought…for　moment　comes　when　it　is　impossible　to　distinguish
in　the　body　of　sound　which　is　the　note　on　the　violin　and　which
proceeds　from　my　throat；　the　old　man　falls　into　an　ecstasy；　his　dim
eyes　light　up　with　their　last　remaining　fires；　he　is　quite　happy　and
will　roll　on　the　floor　like　a　drunken　man。

〃That　is　why　he　pays　Genovese　such　a　price。　Genovese　is　the　only　tenor
whose　voice　occasionally　sounds　in　unison　with　mine。　Either　we　really
do　sing　exactly　together　once　or　twice　in　an　evening；　or　the　Duke
imagines　that　we　do；　and　for　that　imaginary　pleasure　he　has　bought
Genovese。　Genovese　belongs　to　him。　No　theatrical　manager　can　engage
that　tenor　without　me；　nor　have　me　to　sing　without　him。　The　Duke
brought　me　up　on　purpose　to　gratify　that　whim；　to　him　I　owe　my　talent；
my　beauty；my　fortune；　no　doubt。　He　will　die　of　an　attack　of　perfect
unison。　The　sense　of　hearing　alone　has　survived　the　wreck　of　his
faculties；　that　is　the　only　thread　by　which　he　holds　on　to　life。　A
vigorous　shoot　springs　from　that　rotten　stump。　There　are；　I　am　told；
many　men　in　the　same　predicament。　May　Madonna　preserve　them！

〃You　have　not　come　to　that！　You　can　do　all　you　wantall　I　want　of
you；　I　know。〃



Towards　morning　the　Prince　stole　away　and　found　Carmagnola　lying
asleep　across　the　door。

〃Altezza；〃　said　the　gondolier；　〃the　Duchess　ordered　me　to　give　you
this　note。〃

He　held　out　a　dainty　sheet　of　paper　folded　into　a　triangle。　The　Prince
felt　dizzy；　he　went　back　into　the　room　and　dropped　into　a　chair；　for
his　sight　was　dim；　and　his　hands　shook　as　he　read：

　　〃DEAR　EMILIO：Your　gondola　stopped　at　your　palazzo。　Did　you　not
　　know　that　Cataneo　has　taken　it　for　la　Tinti？　If　you　love　me；　go
　　to…night　to　Vendramin；　who　tells　me　he　has　a　room　ready　for　you　in
　　his　house。　What　shall　I　do？　Can　I　remain　in　Venice　to　see　my
　　husband　an