TRUTH.
[Paolo Severi is in love with his cousin Evelina, who, unknown to him, is being courted by his old schoolfellow, Adolfo Briga. Briga purposely encourages his rival, who is from the country and unused to society, thinking that he will be sure to make himself ridiculous, and so fail. In order the better to carry out this plan he pretends to devote himself to Graziosa, the daughter of the President Manlio, who is visiting at the house of Evelina’s parents. Paolo, in his simplicity, does his best to further Adolfo’s suit by pleading his cause with Signora Vereconda, Graziosa’s mother, a lady whose love of admiration has survived her youth, and who has taken Briga’s attentions as a homage to herself.]
Scene—A drawing-room in the house of the Advocate Scipioni, with a door opening on the garden. Adolfo and Vereconda seated, in conversation. Enter Paolo from the garden just as Adolfo kisses Vereconda’s hand.
Paolo(aside). “If you want canes, you must go to the cane-brake; if you want the daughter, you must make yourself agreeable to the mother.”[28]
Vereconda(aside to Adolfo). Do not agitate yourself.... He cannot have seen it.
Pao.Am I intruding?
Ver.Do you think...?
Pao.I have just come in to fetch a volume of my aunt’s poems.... Here it is. I am very sorry that my aunt should expose herself to ridicule by publishing verses like these, in which even the syntax and spelling are wrong! I have a good mind to tell her so myself....
Adol.(aside to Paolo). So you have left Evelina? Well done!
Pao.(aside). Well done, indeed! It was notmychoice!
Adol.(aside). But, indeed, it is a capital manœuvre ofwar! A woman entreated denies, and neglected entreats! Do you remain here instead of me.
Pao.(aside). No, indeed!
Adol.(aside). Yes, indeed! I’ll go and speak artfully for you in the other quarter, and put things right for you in no time!
Pao.(aside). But——
Adol.(aside). I’ll beat the big drum for you, you shall see! Let me go!
Pao.(aside). All right. Go!
Adol.(aside to Vereconda). I have removed all suspicion on his part.... I am going away to make things quite safe. (Aloud.) Will you excuse me, Signora Vereconda?
Ver.Do as you——
Pao.And take in my stead these ... well, let us call them verses. Don Vincenzo, rest his soul, would have called them “uncultivated, rugged songs, which have brought a blush to the revered countenances of Apollo and the Muses.”
Ver.(to Adolfo, aside). Who in the world was this Don Vincenzo?
Adol.(aside to Vereconda). Who knows?... Ah! I have it: the schoolmaster at Borgo di Castello! (Exit.)
Ver.(aside). How one always recognises the country lout at once!
Pao.(aside). What a first-rate friend Adolfo is! And now that I am with his Graziosa’s mother, could I do him a service? I should be ungrateful if I did not try; but I too am a real friend.
Ver.(aside). He looks as though he had just come from the plough-tail.
Pao.Madam....
Ver.Sir?...
Pao.If you permit ... if I am not wearisome to you ... may I stay and talk to you a little?
Ver.Pray sit down.
Pao.To supply the place of my friend is no easy job.
Ver.(aside). How vilely he expresses himself!
Pao.There are very few like him; he is a fellow who is liked by every one ... particularly by girls’ mothers....
Ver.(aside). Could he have noticed anything?
Pao.He is very fortunate; but he deserves to be so....
Ver.(aside). He must have noticed. (Aloud.) I don’t understand....
Pao.Now, look here; Adolfo has no secrets from me.... How could he? We have been friends from childhood....
Ver.What is all this to lead up to?
Pao.This—that the poor old fellow has opened his whole heart to me, and has told me in particular that you are inclined to look on him with favour.
Ver.Infamous! To go and say so!
Pao.And he hopes ... yes, I say hopes, that you will grant his request.
Ver.(rising). What does he want of me?
Pao.Why—from a mother as affectionate as you—what but the hand of your daughter?
Ver.What do you say?
Pao.Believe me, there is no young man more worthy to possess her. He loves her—loves her devotedly; but the poor fellow wants some encouragement—some protection.... Oh, do take him under your protecting wings!
Ver.(choking with suppressed vexation). Ah!... under my wings?
Pao.I have already given him a hint as to his right course. “If you want canes, you must go to the cane-brake....”
Ver.(aside). You and your cane-brakes!
Pao.A mother who has attained a certain age....
Ver.(aside). A certain age!!
Pao.Such a mother, I say, should have no other thought than that of settling her daughter comfortably before she dies....
Ver.(aside). Before she dies!!!
Pao.Particularly a good mother like yourself. What do you say—eh? Will you be on his side?
Ver.I will.... I will be ... whatever my conscience dictates!... (Aside.) Traitor!—In love with Graziosa.... Was that the reason of his attentions to me?
Pao.And shall I be able to give my friend some hope?
Ver.Why, yes ... yes ... give him ... whatever you think.... (Aside.) At a certain age!... Before she dies!... (Aloud.) Excuse me.... (Aside.) Only let me get at you!... (Aloud.) I shall hope to see you later. (Exit.)
Pao.Upon my word! if Adolfo is a real friend, I am another;—if he has been beating the big drum for me, I have certainly been blowing his trumpet with all my might.
Achille Torelli.
Achille Torelli.
Achille Torelli.
Achille Torelli.