Chapter 13

[A room in the palace at Lagoverde. Bianca and her two little daughters discovered at the rise of the curtain, she in a big chair, they at her feet.]

BIA. And so the fairy laid a spell on her: Henceforth she should be ugly as a toad. But the good fairy, seeing this was done, And having in no wise power to alter this, Made all toads beautiful.

LITTLE ROSE-RED. They are not beautiful Now, mother!

LITTLE SNOW-WHITE. That was in another country!-- What country, mother? [Bianca, lost in thought, does not answer.]

LITTLE ROSE-RED. Where is father, mother?-- I have not seen him in so many days!

BIA. Father is gone away.

LITTLE ROSE-RED. Will he come back?

BIA. Nay. He will not come back. But we shall go Where he is.

LITTLE SNOW-WHITE. Soon?

BIA. God grant it may be soon! Now---shall we play a game?

[Enter Octavia.]

OCT. Bianca.

BIA. Ay.

OCT. It is a folly to remain indoors Like this. You should be out in the sunshine.

BIA. Nay. I have no business with the sunshine.

OCT. Ah, My daughter, say not so!--The children, then,-- They have much need of it, and they have need Of you, at the same time. Take them without.

BIA. I do not wish to be in the sunshine.

LITTLE SNOW-WHITE. Mother, Come out of doors!

OCT. You see, now!

BIA. Do you run out, dears, And play at ball. Mother will join you later.

LITTLE ROSE-RED. Where is my ball?

BIA. Nay, do you not remember? We put it in the ear of the stone griffin, Because he hears too much.

LITTLE ROSE-RED. Ay, so we did!

LITTLE SNOW-WHITE. Come on, Rose-Red! [Exeunt children.]

OCT. It is a curious thing This friend of yours you rate so monstrous high Has not come nigh you in your sore affliction!

BIA. I beg you not to speak of that again, Mother. 'Tis the third time today you have said that, Or hinted at it. And I answer always, "There is some reason for it," as I should answer Though you cried daily till the day of doom, "It is a curious thing!" There is some reason, There is some good reason why she does not come.

OCT. Oh, ay, I doubt it not! But there are reasons And reasons!

BIA. And what am I to learn from that?

OCT. 'Tis scarce by reason of too much love for you She leaves you friendless in your greatest need.

BIA. I cannot say. 'Tis one thing or another. You have no words can turn me to believe She has forgotten me, or loves me less. 'Tis a big thing, to leave me thus alone,-- And there is some big reason.

OCT. Ay. Oh, ay. 'Tis possible she grieves for Mario's death No less than you,

BIA. [Simply] Ay, it is possible. I mind she told me on my marriage-day She was as happy as I.

OCT. 'Tis a curious thing, When he was here she came to see you often, But now that he is gone comes not at all.

BIA. [Simply.] Ay, it is curious. [Catching Octavia's expression.]

BIA. Nay, what evil thing Is in your mind, gives you that evil smile?

OCT. Only a little thought.

BIA. A little thought, I'll warrant you!--You'd have me to believe She loved my husband?

OCT. Ay, I know she loved him.

BIA. It is a lie!

OCT. How dare you say I lie!

BIA. Oh, do not be so proud! Let us speak truth At length, a little! We are so garnished up With courtesies, so over-sauced and seasoned, We cannot taste each other! Why do you tell me A thing like that?---You have no love for me!

OCT. [Weeping,] I love you too much--you are the only thing I do love!

BIA. Nay, it is not love of me For my own self. Else would you do the thing Would make me happiest. You know how I have loved her, Since we were children. You could not be to me What she was; one forgets too many things. You could not know my thought. I loved you dearly; But you were hard to love; one never knew Whether you would be hot or cold to touch. Whilst she and I,--oh, we were two young trees So nearly of a height we had the same world Ever within our vision!--Yet all these years, Even from the time we first went to Fiori, You have been bearing me your little tales,-- "She had done this and that, she was thus and so--", Seeking to stir and poison the clear water Of my deep love for her! And now this thing. Which is not true. But if it had been true, It would not be so out of all reason cruel As that you should have told me of it now. Nay, do not weep. All day 'tis one of us Making the other weep. We are two strange, Unhappy women. Come, let us be at peace.

[Pause. Bianca rises suddenly.]

Mother, farewell a little while. I go now To her, seeing that she does not come to me. But not to question her, not to demand, "How comes it this? What can you say to that?" Only to sit beside her, as in the old days, And let her lay her quiet on my heart.