Odoardo _and_ Claudia Galotti, Pirro.
ODOARDO.
She stays too long.
CLAUDIA.
One moment more, Odoardo. It would distress her to miss seeing you.
ODOARDO.
I must wait upon the Count, too. How eager am I to call this worthy man
my son! His conduct enchants me, and, above everything, his resolution
to pass his days in his native valleys.
CLAUDIA.
My heart almost breaks when I think of it. Must we so entirely lose our
dear and only child!
ODOARDO.
Can you think you have lost her, when you know she is in the arms of an
affectionate husband? Does not her happiness make your delight? You
almost make me again suspect that your motive for remaining with her in
town, far from an affectionate husband and father, was the bustle and
the dissipation of the world, and proximity of the court, rather than
the necessity of giving our daughter a proper education.
CLAUDIA.
How unjust, Odoardo! But to-day, I may be allowed to speak somewhat in
favour of town and court, though both are so hateful to your strict
virtue; for here alone could love have united a couple formed for each
other; here alone could the Count have found our Emilia, and he has
found her.
ODOARDO.
That I allow. But were you right, good Claudia, because the result has
been fortunate? It is well that this court education has ended so
happily. Let us not affect to be wise, when we have only been
fortunate. It is well that it has ended so happily. They who were
destined for each other have found each other. Now let them go where
peace and innocence invite them. Why should the Count remain here? To
cringe--to fawn--to flatter--to supplant the Marinellis--to make a
fortune which he does not want--to obtain a dignity, which he does not
value?--Pirro!
PIRRO.
Sir!
ODOARDO.
Lead my horse to the Count's door. I'll follow you anon, and mount it
there. (_Exit_ Pirro).--Why should the Count serve here, when he may
command elsewhere? Besides, you do not consider, Claudia, that, by his
union with my daughter, he is utterly ruined with the Prince? The
Prince hates me----
CLAUDIA.
Less, perhaps, than you fear.
ODOARDO.
Fear! Should I fear anything so contemptible?
CLAUDIA.
Why, have I not already told you that the Prince has seen our daughter?
ODOARDO.
The Prince! Where?
CLAUDIA.
At the last assembly of the Chancellor Grimaldi, which he honoured with
his presence. He conducted himself so graciously towards her----
ODOARDO.
Graciously?
CLAUDIA.
Yes. He conversed with her for some time.
ODOARDO.
Conversed with her?
CLAUDIA.
Appeared to be so delighted with her cheerfulness and good sense----
ODOARDO.
Delighted?
CLAUDIA.
Spoke of her elegance and beauty, in terms of such admiration----
ODOARDO.
Admiration? And all this you relate to me in a tone of rapture. Oh,
Claudia! vain, foolish mother!
CLAUDIA.
Why so?
ODOARDO.
Well, well. This, too, has ended happily.--Ha! when I think----That
were exactly the point where a wound would be to me most deadly.--A
libertine, who admires, and seduces----Claudia! Claudia! The very
thought rouses my fury. You ought to have mentioned this to me
immediately.--But to-day I would not willingly say anything to vex you.
And I should (_as she takes him by the hand_), were I to stay longer.
Therefore, let me begone. God be with you, Claudia; follow me in
safety. (_Exit_.)