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[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
"Why, as to that, he is about of an age with me, and in consequence old
enough to be far more sensible than either of us is ever likely to be," said
Guido; and began to talk of other matters.
But presently Graciosa was questioning him again as to the court, whither
she was to go next year and enslave a marquis, or, at worst, an opulent
baron. Her thoughts turned toward the court's predominating figure. "Tell
me of Eglamore, Guido."
"Madonna, some say that Eglamore was a brewer's son. Othersand your
father's kinsmen in parricularp insist that he was begot by a devil in
person, just as Merlin was, and Plato the philosopher, and puissant
Alexander. Nobody knows anything about his origin." Guido was sitting upon
the ground, his open pack between his knees. Between the thumb and
forefinger of each hand he held caressingly a string of pearls which he
inspected as he talked. "Nobody," he idly said, "nobody is very eager to
discuss Count Eglamore's origin now that Eglamore has become indispensable to
Duke Alessandro. Yes, it is thanks to Eglamore that the Duke has ample
leisure and needful privacy for the pursuit of recreations which are reputed
to be curious."
The Certain Hour
BALTHAZAR'S DAUGHTER
21
"I do not understand you, Guido." Graciosa was all wonder.
"It is perhaps as well," the merchant said, a trifle sadly. Then Guido
shrugged. "To be brief, madonna, business annoys the Duke. He finds in
this Eglamore an industrious person who affixes seals, draughts
proclamations, makes treaties, musters armies, devises pageants, and
collects revenues, upon the whole, quite as efficiently as Alessandro would
be capable of doing these things. So Alessandro makes verses and amuses
himself as his inclinations prompt, and Alessandro's people are none the
worse off on account of it."
"Heigho, I foresee that I shall never fall in love with the Duke," Graciosa
declared. "It is unbefitting and it is a little cowardly for a prince to
shirk the duties of his station. Now, if I were Duke I would grant my father
a pension, and have Eglamore hanged, and purchase a new gown of silvery
green, in which I would be ravishingly beautiful, and afterward Why, what
would you do if you were Duke, Messer Guido?"
Page 23
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
"What would I do if I were Duke?" he echoed. "What would I do if I were a
great lord instead of a tradesman? I think you know the answer, madonna."
"Oh, you would make me your duchess, of course. That is quite understood,"
said Graciosa, with the lightest of laughs. "But I was speaking seriously,
Guido."
Guido at that considered her intently for a half minute. His countenance
was of portentous gravity, but in his eyes she seemed to detect a lurking
impishness.
"And it is not a serious matter that a peddler of crystals should have dared
to love a nobleman's daughter?
You are perfectly right. That I worship you is an affair which does not
concern any person save myself in any way whatsoever, although I think that
knowledge of the fact would put your father to the trouble of sharpening his
dagger. . . . Indeed, I am not certain that I worship you, for in order to
adore wholeheartedly, the idolater must believe his idol to be perfect.
Now, your nails are of an ugly shape, like that of little fans;
your mouth is too large; and I have long ago perceived that you are a trifle
lame in spite of your constant care to conceal the fact. I do not admire
these faults, for faults they are undoubtedly. Then, too, I know you are
vain and self seeking, and look forward contentedly to the time when your
father will transfer his ownership of such physical attractions as heaven
gave you to that nobleman who offers the highest price for them. It is true
you have no choice in the matter, but you will participate in a monstrous
bargain, and I would prefer to have you exhibit distaste for it." And with
that he returned composedly to inspection of his pearls.
"And to what end, Guido?" It was the first time Graciosa had completely
waived the reticence of a superior caste. You saw that the child's parted
lips were tremulous, and you divined her childish fits of dreading that
glittering, inevitable courtlife shared with an unimaginable husband.
But Guido only grumbled whimsically. "I am afraid that men do not always
love according to the strict laws of logic. I desire your happiness above
all things; yet to see you so abysmally untroubled by anything that troubles
me is another matter."
"But I am not untroubled, Guidoshe began swiftly. Graciosa broke off in
speech, shrugged, flashed a smile at him. "For I cannot fathom you, Ser
Guido, and that troubles me. Yes, I am very fond of you, and yet I do not
trust you. You tell me you love me greatly. It pleases me to have you say
this. You perceive I am very candid this morning, Messer Guido. Yes, it
pleases me, and I know that for the sake of seeing me you daily endanger
your life, for if my father heard of our meetings he would have you killed.
You would not incur such harebrained risks unless you cared very greatly; and
yet, somehow, I do not believe it is altogether for me you care."
Then Guido was in train to protest an allmastering and entirely candid
devotion, but he was interrupted.
The Certain Hour
BALTHAZAR'S DAUGHTER
22
"Most women have these awkward intuitions," spoke a melodious voice, and
turning, Graciosa met the eyes of the intruder. This magnificent young man
had a proud and bloodless face which contrasted sharply with his painted
lips and cheeks. In the contour of his protruding mouth showed plainly his
negroid ancestry. His scanty beard, as well as his frizzled hair, was the
color of dead grass. He was sumptuously clothed in white satin worked with
silver, and around his cap was a gold chain hung with diamonds. Now he
handed his fringed ridinggloves to Guido to hold.
"Yes, madonna, I suspect that Eglamore here cares greatly for the fact that
you are Lord Balthazar's daughter, and cousin to the late Marquis of Cibo. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
