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born through the betrayal of an ambitious plot. However, it was a princely betrayal, the Lord did not punish it with destruction like He punished Sodom and Gomorrah. Instead He made it so beautiful and sought after that all the world wanted this land set like a jewel between the ancient mountains of Catalfano, Giancaldo and Consuono, the coast of Aspra and the wonderful headland of Capo Zafferano.' xx 'I don't want my uncle, Mother, I'm telling you.' The note is crumpled between Marianna's fingers. 'But your mother married her uncle', Duke Pietro replies to his daughter. 'But she was dumb and who else would have her?' While writing this, Giuseppa looks at her mother as if to say, Forgive me but for the moment I have to use what weapons I can to get my own way. 'Your mother may be dumb but she's more cultivated than you. You're nothing but a bunch of wild chives, you don't seem to have an ounce of common sense. Also your mother was a sight more attractive than you, she was a beauty, a queen.' It is the first time Marianna has read a compliment from uncle husband and she is so dumbfounded that she is at a loss for words to defend her daughter. Unexpectedly Signoretto comes to the rescue of the two women. Since he married the Venetian he has become more easy-going. He has taken to using ironic expressions that recall those of his father. Marianna watches him opening and closing his arms, arguing with his uncle, who will certainly not fail to point out that Giuseppa is now twenty-three and it is inconceivable that at this age she should still be unmarried. Marianna seems to recognise the word 'spinster' coming several times from the lips of the Duke. And has Signoretto brought up the argument about freedom which he has lately held in such high esteem? Will he remember that their great-grandfather Edoardo Gerbi di Mansueto went to prison 'in defence of his liberty and indeed of ours'? Signoretto is very proud of this ancestral glory, but it only 107 Irntates his brother-in-law all the more. To be consistent with his idea of 'independence' her brother has adopted a supportive attitude towards the women of his family. He allows the girls to study together with their brothers, something that would have been simply unthinkable twenty years ago. Uncle husband argues scornfully that Signoretto 'with his foolishness has wasted all his own money and will have nothing to leave his sons except learning and tears .... ' Giuseppa seems happy to be caught between her uncle and her father, who are quarrelling with each other. Perhaps in the end she won't have to marry her uncle Gerbi after all. At this point her mother intercedes for her and for Giulio Carbonelli, a childhood friend of the same age as Giuseppa and secretly betrothed to her for years. A moment later the three of them disappear into the yellow drawing-room. As usual they have forgotten about Marianna. Though maybe the idea of continuing their discussion in front of a dumb woman who might read their lips makes them feel uncomfortable. In fact they shut the door, leaving her on her own as if the affair was no concern of hers. Later Giuseppa comes back and embraces her: 'I've done it, Mamma, I'm marrying Giulio.' 'And your father?' 'It's Signoretto who convinced him. He accepts Giulio rather than have me left a spinster.' 'Even though he has no money, and a reputation for idleness?' 'Yes, he said yes.' 'So now we start preparing for the wedding.' 'No preparations. We shall get married in Naples, without any festivities. They don't have such antiquated rubbish there any more .... Just think, a wedding feast with all those bigwigs who are friends of my father .... We'll get married in Naples, then we'll set off at once for London.' The next moment Giuseppa has flown away through the door, leaving behind her a delicate smell of sweat mingled with lavender . Marianna remembers that in her pocket there is a short note from her daughter Manina that she has not yet read. It only says, 'Expecting you this evening for the Ave Maria.' But the idea of going to Palermo does not attract her. . . . Manina has called her 108 [3.133.141.6] Project MUSE (2024-04-23 07:41...
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