At last the door opened, and Saracinesca, Giovanni, and Corona entered the room. San Giacinto was surprised to see Giovanni’s wife on an occasion when the men alone of the family were concerned, but she explained that she had come to spend the morning with Faustina, and would wait till everything was finished. The meeting was not a cordial one, though both parties regarded it as inevitable. If Saracinesca felt any personal resentment against San Giacinto he knew that it was unreasonable and he had not the bad taste to show it. He was silent, but courteous in his manner. Giovanni, strange to say, seemed wholly indifferent to what was about to take place.
“I hope,” said San Giacinto, when all four were seated, “that you will consent to consider this as a mere formality. I have said as much through my lawyers, but I wish to repeat it myself in better words than they used.”
“Pardon me,” answered Saracinesca, “if I suggest that we should not discuss that matter. We are sensible of your generosity in making such offers, but we do not consider it possible to accept them.”
“I must ask your indulgence if I do not act upon your suggestion,” returned San Giacinto. “Even if there is no discussion I cannot consent to proceed to business until I have explained what I mean. If the suit has been settled justly by the courts, it has not been decided with perfect justice as regards its consequences. I do not deny, and I understand that you do not expect me to act otherwise, that it has been my intention to secure for myself and for my children the property and the personal position abandoned by my ancestor. I have obtained what I wanted and what was my right, and I have to thank you for the magnanimity you have displayed in not attempting to contest a claim against which you might have brought many arguments, if not much evidence. The affair having been legally settled, it is for us to make whatever use of it seems better in our own eyes. To deprive you of your name and of the house in which you were born and bred, would be to offer you an indignity such as I never contemplated.”
“You cannot be said to deprive us of what is not ours, by any interpretation of the word with which I am acquainted,” said Saracinesca in a tone which showed that he was determined to receive nothing.
“I am a poor grammarian,” answered San Giacinto gravely, and without the slightest affectation of humility. “I was brought up a farmer, and was only an innkeeper until lately. I cannot discuss with you the subtle meanings of words. To my mind it is I who am taking from you that which, if not really yours, you have hitherto had every right to own and to make use of. I do not attempt to explain my thought. I only say that I will neither take your name nor live in your house while you are alive. I propose a compromise which I hope you will be willing to accept.”
“I fear that will be impossible. My mind is made up.”
“I propose,” continued San Giacinto, “that you remain Prince
Saracinesca, that you keep Saracinesca itself, and the palace here in
Rome during your lifetime, which I trust may be a long one. After your
death everything returns to us. My cousin Giovanni and the Princess
Sant’ Ilario—”
“You may call me Corona, if you please,” said the princess suddenly.
Her eyes were fixed on his face, and she was smiling.
Both Saracinesca and Giovanni looked at her in surprise. It seemed strange to them that she should choose such a moment for admitting San Giacinto to a familiarity he had never before enjoyed. But for some time she had felt a growing respect for the ex-innkeeper, which was quickened by his present generosity. San Giacinto’s swarthy face grew a shade darker as the blood mounted to his lean cheeks. Corona had given him one of the first sensations of genuine pleasure he had ever experienced in his rough life.
“Thank you,” he said simply. “You two, I was going to say, have palaces of your own and cannot have such close associations with the old places as one who has owned them during so many years. You,” he continued, turning to the old prince, “will, I hope, accept an arrangement which cannot affect your dignity and which will give me the greatest satisfaction.”
“I am very much obliged to you,” answered Saracinesca promptly. “You are very generous, but I cannot take what you offer.”
“If you feel that you would be taking anything from me, look at it from a different point of view. You would be conferring a favour instead of accepting one. Consider my position, when I have taken your place. It will not be a pleasant one. The world will abuse me roundly, and will say I have behaved abominably towards you. Do you fancy that I shall be received as a substitute for the Prince Saracinesca your friends have known so long? Do you suppose that the vicissitudes of my life are unknown, and that no one will laugh behind my back and point at me as the new, upstart prince? Few people know me in Rome, and if I have any friends besides you, I have not been made aware of the fact. Pray consider that in doing what I ask, you would be saving me from very unpleasant social consequences.”
“I should be doing so at the cost of my self-respect,” replied the old man firmly. “Whatever the consequences are to you, the means of bearing them will be in your hands. You will have no lack of friends to-morrow, or at least of amiable persons anxious to call themselves by that name. They will multiply this very night, like mushrooms, and will come about you freshly shaved and smiling to-morrow morning.”
“I am afraid you do not understand me,” said San Giacinto. “I can leave you the title and yet take one which will serve as well. You would call yourself Prince Saracinesca and I should be Saracinesca di San Giacinto. As for the palace and the place in the mountains, they are so insignificant as compared with the rest that it could not hurt your self-respect to live in them. Can you not persuade your father?” He turned to Giovanni who had not spoken yet.
“You are very good to make the proposal,” he answered. “I cannot say more than that. I agree with my father.”
A silence followed which lasted several minutes. Corona looked from one to the other of the three men, wondering how the matter would end. She understood both parties better than they understood each other. She sympathised with the refusal of her husband and his father. To accept such an offer would put them in a position of obligation towards San Giacinto which she knew they could never endure, and which would be galling to herself. On the other hand she felt sorry for their cousin, who was evidently trying to do what he felt was right and generous, and was disappointed that his advances should be repelled. He was very much in earnest, or he would not have gone so far as to suggest that it would be a favour to him if they took what he offered. He was so simple, and yet so dignified withal, that she could not help liking him. It was not clear to her, however, that she could mend matters by interfering, nor by offering advice to the one or sympathy to the other.
Saracinesca himself was the first to break the silence. It seemed to him that everything had been said, and that nothing now remained but to fulfil the requisite formalities.
“Shall we proceed to business?” he inquired, as though ignoring all the previous conversation. “I believe we have a great deal to do, and the time is passing.”
San Giacinto made no reply, but rose gravely and made a gesture signifying that he would show the way to the study. Saracinesca made a show of refusing to go out first, then yielded and went on. San Giacinto waited at the door for Corona and Giovanni. “I will join you in a moment — I know the way,” said the latter, remaining behind with his wife.
When they were alone he led her towards one of the windows, as though to be doubly sure that no one could hear what he was about to say. Then he stood still and looked into her eyes.
“Would you like us to accept such a favour from him?” he asked. “Tell me the truth.”
“No,” answered Corona without the least hesitation. “But I am sorry for San Giacinto. I think he is really trying to do right, and to be generous. He was hurt by your father’s answer.”
“If I thought it would give you pleasure to feel that we could go to
Sara
cinesca, I would try and make my father change his mind.”
“Would you?” She knew very well what a sacrifice it would be to his pride.
“Yes, dear. I would do it for you.”
“Giovanni — how good you are!”
“No — I am not good. I love you. That is all. Shall I try?”
“Never! I am sorry for San Giacinto — but I could no more live in the old house, or in Saracinesca, than you could. Do I not feel all that you feel, and more?”
“All?”
“All.”
They stood hand in hand looking out of the window, and there were tears in the eyes of both. The grasp of their fingers tightened slowly as though they were drawn together by an irresistible force. Slowly they turned their faces towards each other, and presently their lips met in one of those kisses that are never forgotten. Then Giovanni left her where she was. All had been said; both knew that they desired nothing more in this world, and that henceforth they were all to each other. It was as though a good angel had set a heavenly seal upon the reunion of their hearts.
Corona did not leave the room immediately, but remained a few moments leaning against the heavy frame of the window. Her queenly figure drooped a little, and she pressed one hand to her side. Her dark face was bent down, and the tears that had of old come so rarely made silver lines upon her olive cheeks. There was not one drop of bitterness in that overflowing of her soul’s transcendent joy, in that happiness which was so great and perfect that it seemed almost unbearable.
And she had reason to be glad. In the midst of a calamity which would have absorbed the whole nature of many men, Giovanni had not one thought that was not for her. Giovanni, who had once doubted her, who had said such things to her as she dared not remember — Giovanni, suffering under a blow to his pride, that was worse almost than total ruin, had but one wish, to make another sacrifice for her. That false past, of which she hated to think, was gone like an evil dream before the morning sun, that true past, which was her whole life, was made present again. The love that had been so bruised and crushed that she had thought it dead had sprung up again from its deep, strong roots, grander and nobler than before. The certainty that it was real was overwhelming, and drowned all her senses in a trance of light.
Faustina Montevarchi entered the drawing-room softly, then, seeing no one, she advanced till she came all at once upon Corona in the embrasure of the window. The princess started slightly when she saw that she was not alone.
“Corona!” exclaimed the young girl. “Are you crying? What is it?”
“Oh, Faustina! I am so happy!” It was a relief to be able to say it to some one.
“Happy?” repeated Faustina in surprise. “But there are tears in your eyes, on your cheeks—”
“You cannot understand — I do not wonder — how should you? And besides, I cannot tell you what it is.”
“I wish I were you,” answered her friend sadly. “I wish I were happy!”
“What is it, child?” asked Corona kindly. Then she led Faustina to a stiff old sofa at one end of the vast room and they sat down together. “What is it?” she repeated, drawing the girl affectionately to her side.
“You know what it is, dear. No one can help me. Oh, Corona! we love each other so very much!”
“I know — I know it is very real. But you must have a little patience, darling. Love will win in the end. Just now, too—” She did not finish the sentence, but she had touched a sensitive spot in Faustina’s conscience.
“That is the worst of it,” was the answer. “I am so miserable, because I know he never would have allowed it, and now — I am ashamed to tell you, it is so heartless!” She hid her face on her friend’s shoulder.
“You will never be heartless, my dear Faustina,” said Corona. “What you think, is not your fault, dear. Love is master of the world and of us all.”
“But my love is not like yours, Corona. Perhaps yours was once like mine. But you are married — you are happy. You were saying so just now.”
“Yes, dear. I am very, very happy, because I love very, very dearly.
You will be as happy as I am some day.”
“Ah, that may be — but — I am dreadfully wicked, Corona!”
“You, child? You do not know what it is to think anything bad!”
“But I do. I am so much ashamed of it that I can hardly tell you — only I tell you everything, because you are my friend. Corona — it is horrible — it seems easier, more possible — now that he is gone — oh! I am so glad I have told you!” Faustina began to sob passionately, as though she were repenting of some fearful crime.
“Is that all, darling?” asked Corona, smiling at the girl’s innocence, and pressing her head tenderly to her own breast. “Is that what makes you so unhappy?”
“Yes — is it not — very, very dreadful?” A fresh shower of tears accompanied the question.
“Perhaps I am very bad, too,” said Corona. “But I do not call that wickedness.”
“Oh no! You are good. I wish I were like you!”
“No, do not wish that. But, I confess, it seems to me natural that you should think as you do, because it is really true. Your father, Faustina, may have been mistaken about your future. If — if he had lived, you might perhaps have made him change his mind. At all events, you can hope that he now sees more clearly, that he understands how terrible it is for a woman to be married to a man she does not love — when she is sure that she loves another.”
“Yes — you told me. Do you remember? It was the other day, after Flavia had been saying such dreadful things. But I know it already. Every woman must know it.”
There was a short pause, during which Corona wondered whether she were the same person she had been ten days earlier, when she had delivered that passionate warning. Faustina sat quite still, looking up into the princess’s face. She was comforted and reassured and the tears had ceased to flow.
“There is something else,” she said at last. “I want to tell you everything, for I can tell no one else. I cannot keep it to myself either. He has written to me, Corona. Was it very wrong to read his letter?” This time she smiled a little and blushed.
“I do not think it was very wrong,” answered her friend with a soft laugh. She was so happy that she would have laughed at anything.
“Shall I show you his letter?” asked the young girl shyly. At the same time her hand disappeared into the pocket of her black gown, and immediately afterwards brought out a folded piece of paper which looked as though it had been read several times.
Corona did not think it necessary to express her assent in words. Faustina opened the note, which contained the following words, written in Gouache’s delicate French handwriting —
“MADEMOISELLE — When you have read these lines, you will understand my object in writing them, for you understand me, and you know that all I do has but one object. A few days ago it was still possible for us to meet frequently. The terrible affliction which has fallen upon you, and in which none can feel deeper or more sincere sympathy than I, has put it out of your power and out of mine to join hands and weep over the present, to look into each other’s eyes and read there the golden legend of a future happiness. To meet as we have met, alone in the crowded church — no! we cannot do it. For you, at such a time, it would seem like a disrespect to your father’s memory. For myself, I should deem it dishonourable, I should appear base in my own eyes. Did I not go to him and put to him the great question? Was I not repulsed — I do not say with insult, but with astonishment — at my presumption? Shall I then seem to take advantage of his death — of his sudden and horrible death — to press forward a suit which he is no longer able to oppose? I feel that it would be wrong. Though I cannot express myself as I would, I know that you understand me, for you think as I do. How could it be otherwise? Are we not one indivisible soul, we two? Yes, you will understand me. Yes, you will know that it is right. I go therefore, I leave Rome immediately. I cannot inhabit the same city and not
see you. But I cannot quit the Zouaves in this time of danger. I am therefore going to Viterbo, whither I am sent through the friendly assistance of one of our officers. There I shall stay until time has soothed your grief and restored your mother to health. To her we will turn when the moment has arrived. She will not be insensible to our tears and entreaties. Until then good-bye — ah! the word is less terrible than it looks, for our souls will be always together. I leave you but for a short space — no! I leave your sweet eyes, your angel’s face, your dear hands that I adore, but yourself I do not leave. I bear you with me in a heart that loves you — God knows how tenderly.”
Corona read the letter carefully to the end. To her older appreciation of the world, such a letter appeared at first to be the forerunner of a definite break, but a little reflection made her change her mind. What he said was clearly true, and corresponded closely with Faustina’s own view of the case. The most serious obstacle to the union of the lovers had been removed by Prince Montevarchi’s death, and it was inconceivable that Gouache should have ceased to care for Faustina at the very moment when a chance of his marrying her had presented itself. Besides, Corona knew Gouache well, and was not mistaken in her estimate of his character. He was honourable to Quixotism, and perfectly capable of refusing to take what looked like an unfair advantage. Considering Faustina’s strange nature, her amazing readiness to yield to first impulses, and her touching innocence of evil, it would have been an easy matter for the man she loved to draw her into a runaway match. She would have followed him as readily to the ends of the earth as she had followed him to the Serristori barracks. Gouache was not a boy, and probably understood her peculiarities as well as any one. In going away for the present he was undoubtedly acting with the greatest delicacy, for his departure showed at once all the respect he felt for Faustina, and all that devotion to an ideal honour which was the foundation of his being. Though his epistle was not a model of literary style it contained certain phrases that came from the heart. Corona understood why Faustina was pleased with it, and why instead of shedding useless tears over his absence, she had shown such willingness to let her friend read Gouache’s own explanation of his departure. She folded the sheet of paper again and gave it back to the young girl.
Complete Works of F Marion Crawford Page 412