I turned pale.
“Oh! do not be alarmed,” said he. “I have not the slightest intention of asking you to receive her. I remember too well the sentiments you expressed on this point at Paris. No, I wish instead to let you know I am going to escort her to Milan myself, and shall remain there till after the Carnavalone.”[83]
My heart gave a violent bound. I could not utter a word, but the surprise that rendered me dumb enabled me to be calm, and, when I finally recovered my voice, I said:
“You are at liberty to go where you please, Lorenzo. It is a liberty, moreover, you have always had, and have already made use of, and I cannot conceive why this time (I emphasized these words) you feel obliged to tell me the precise object of your journey.”
“Because I wish to be frank with you this time, and I should have been so before had I not remembered [pg 310] your reproaches, and wished to spare you the occasion of renewing them. Besides, I no longer have it in my power to prevent your jealousy, or forbid the conjectures you think proper to indulge in.”
“Lorenzo!” I said almost in a scream, and I was on the point of giving utterance to all that filled my heart to overflowing when, with the stern, imperious accent he knew how to assume, though without rudeness or the least violence, he stopped me.
“Not another word, Ginevra; not one, I beg, out of love for yourself. Do not destroy your future happiness in a moment of anger! There are some things I will not listen to, and which, for your own interest as well as mine, I forbid your saying!”
I had no chance to reply, for he took my hand before I could prevent it, and said:
“Au revoir, Ginevra. I hope, at my return, to find you as calm and reasonable as I desire.”
He kissed my hand and left the room.