Attendants
I've watched you from my window
I saw you on the day that you arrived.
Perhaps it was the way you walked.
The way you spoke to your men.
You were different then,
You were kind and good.
I thought you understood...
Scene Six
Fosca's drawing room.
Fosca sits doing needlepoint. She appears even
sicker than usual. An attendant goes off and
returns with Giorgio. Fosca greets Giorgio
with a cold smile and signals the attendant to leave.
Giorgio
You sent for me.
Fosca
I received your letter and I thank you.
I hope we can still shake hands.
(She extands her hand to him)
Giorgio
Yes, of course. We can certainly be friends.
Fosca
You have no idea how mortified I am.
Giorgio
Mortified?
Fosca
About everything that has happened. My emotions
sometimes overpower my judgement.
Giorgio
I found your affection very flattering.
Fosca
How indulgent you are with me. Did you amuse yourself in Milan?
Giorgio
Very much.
Fosca
Admit that you only took leave to visit my rival.
Giorgio
Your rival?
Yes, of course that was the purpose of my visit.
Fosca
Excuse me. I can be very naive sometimes.
I should have understood what you meant by
your "urgent need to leave".
Will you be going back soon?
Giorgio
Whenever I can. As soon as possible.
Fosca
If you get another leave.
Giorgio
Naturally.
Fosca
Perhaps I should put in a word to my cousin. My help
might serve you well. On the other hand, a negative word...
Giorgio
Place more value on your dignity.
Don't offend your pride, Signora.
Fosca
We each deal with our pride as best we can.
Do you love this woman very much?
Giorgio
I wrote to you.
Fosca
Is she beautiful?
Giorgio
As an angel.
Fosca
Then why don't you marry her?
Giorgio
She is already married.
Fosca
And you respect her.
Giorgio
You can't love someone without respecting.
Fosca
That's not true, but it hardly matters.
And is your angel also a mother?
Giorgio
Let's stop torturing each other like this.
It's humiliating and degrading. I find your
sarcasm most distasteful.
Fosca
I have many flaws, Captain.
Giorgio
Our situation is well-defined. Let's not
discuss this subject again.
Fosca
That is what I would like.
Giorgio
Good. Perhaps we should have no further
occasion to speak of ourselves.
Fosca
You may also hope that we do not see each other again.
Giorgio
Yes, that might be very well the best course of action.
Fosca
You may go now, Captain. I have more important things to do.
(Giorgio clicks his heels and exits.
As Clara walks through, reading a letter.
We segue to the Doctor's office)