Part 40 (1/2)

CONSUELO

[_Pulling away her hand_]: Let me alone! I'll soon be---- Come here, HE. What did you say to him? They all laughed. I couldn't understand. What?

HE

I joked, Consuelo.

CONSUELO

Please don't, HE, don't make him angry; he is so terrible. Did you see how he pressed my arm? I wanted to scream. [_With tears in her eyes_] He hurt me!

HE

It's not too late yet. Refuse him.

CONSUELO

It is too late, HE. Don't talk about it.

HE

Do you want it? I will take you away from here.

CONSUELO

Where to? [_Laughs._] Ah, my dear little silly boy, where could you take me to. All right, be quiet. How pale you are! You too, love me? Don't HE, please don't! Why do they all love me?

HE

You are so beautiful!

CONSUELO

No, no. It's not true. They must not love me. I was still a little cheerful, but when they began to speak ... so nicely ... and about Italy ... and to bid farewell, as if I were dying, I thought I should begin to cry. Don't talk, don't talk, but drink to ... my happiness.

[_With a sad smile_] To my happiness, HE. What are you doing?

HE

I am throwing away the gla.s.s from which you drank with the others. I shall give you another one. Wait a minute. [_Goes to pour champagne._ CONSUELO _walks about thoughtfully_. _Almost all are gone. Only the princ.i.p.al figures are left._]

MANCINI

[_Coming to her_]: But it is really becoming indecent, Veronica. Auguste is so nice, he is waiting for you, and you talk here with this clown.

Some stupid secrets. They're looking at you--it is becoming noticeable.

It is high time, Veronica, to get rid of these habits.

CONSUELO

[_Loudly_]: Let me alone, Father! I want to do so, and will do so. They are all my friends. Do you hear? Let me alone!