VERRINA (raging). What?
BERTHA. Last night----
VERRINA (furiously.) Speak! What!
BERTHA. Force. (Sinks down upon the side of the sofa.)
VERRINA (after a long pause, with a hollow voice). One word more, my daughter--thy last! Who was it?
BERTHA. Alas, what an angry deathlike paleness! Great G.o.d, support me!
How his words falter! His whole frame trembles!
VERRINA. I cannot comprehend it. Tell me, my daughter--who?
BERTHA. Compose yourself, my best, my dearest father!
VERRINA (ready to faint). For G.o.d"s sake--who?
BERTHA. A mask----
VERRINA (steps back, thoughtfully). No! That cannot be!--the thought is idle--(smiling to himself ). What a fool am I to think that all the poison of my life can flow but from one source! (Firmly addressing himself to BERTHA.) What was his stature, less than mine or taller?
BERTHA. Taller.
VERRINA (eagerly). His hair? Black, and curled?
BERTHA. As black as jet and curled?
VERRINA (retiring from her in great emotion). O G.o.d! my brain! my brain!
His voice?
BERTHA. Was deep and harsh.
VERRINA (impetuously). What color was--No! I"ll hear no more! "His cloak! What color?
BERTHA. I think his cloak was green.
VERRINA (covering his face with his hands, falls on the couch). No more.
This can be nothing but a dream!
BERTHA (wringing her hands). Merciful heaven! Is this my father?
VERRINA (after a pause, with a forced smile). Right! It serves thee right--coward Verrina! The villain broke into the sanctuary of the laws.
This did not rouse thee. Then he violated the sanctuary of thy honor (starting up). Quick! Nicolo! Bring b.a.l.l.s and powder--but stay--my sword were better. (To BERTHA.) Say thy prayers! Ah! what am I going to do?
BERTHA. Father, you make me tremble----
VERRINA. Come, sit by me, Bertha! (in a solemn manner.) Tell me, Bertha, what did that h.o.a.ry-headed Roman, when his daughter--like you-- how can I speak it! fell a prey to ignominy? Tell me, Bertha, what said Virginius to his dishonored daughter?
BERTHA (shuddering). I know not.
VERRINA. Foolish girl! He said nothing--but (rising hastily and s.n.a.t.c.hing up a sword) he seized an instrument of death----
BERTHA (terrified, rushes into his arms). Great G.o.d! What would you do, my father?
VERRINA (throwing away the sword). No! There is still justice left in Genoa.
SCENE XI.
SACCO, CALCAGNO, the former.
CALCAGNO. Verrina, quick! prepare! to-day begins the election week of the republic. Let us early to the Senate House to choose the new senators. The streets are full of people, you will undoubtedly accompany us (ironically) to behold the triumph of our liberty.
SACCO (to CALCAGNO). But what do I see? A naked sword! Verrina staring wildly! Bertha in tears!
CALCAGNO. By heavens, it is so. Sacco! some strange event has happened here.
VERRINA (placing two chairs). Be seated.
SACCO. Your looks, Verrina, fill us with apprehension.
CALCAGNO. I never saw you thus before--Bertha is in tears, or your grief would have seemed to presage our country"s ruin.
VERRINA. Ruin! Pray sit down. (They both seat themselves.)
CALCAGNO. My friend, I conjure you----
VERRINA. Listen to me.
CALCAGNO (to SACCO). I have sad misgivings.
VERRINA. Genoese! you both know the antiquity of my family. Your ancestors were va.s.sals to my own. My forefathers fought the battles of the state, their wives were patterns of virtue. Honor was our sole inheritance, descending unspotted from the father to the son. Can any one deny it?
SACCO. No.
CALCAGNO. No one, by the G.o.d of heaven!
VERRINA. I am the last of my family. My wife has long been dead. This daughter is all she left me. You are witnesses, my friends, how I have brought her up. Can anyone accuse me of neglect?
CALCAGNO. No. Your daughter is a bright example to her s.e.x.
VERRINA. I am old, my friends. On this one daughter all my hopes were placed. Should I lose her, my race becomes extinct. (After a pause, with a solemn voice). I have lost her. My family is dishonored.
SACCO and CALCAGNO. Forbid it, heaven! (BERTHA on the couch, appears much affected.)
VERRINA. No. Despair not, daughter! These men are just and brave. If they feel thy wrongs they will expiate them with blood. Be not astonished, friends! He who tramples upon Genoa may easily overcome a helpless female.