XII

edto....But,however,Giorgio,beingyouthful,afterashortwhilebegantohaveprickingsofconscience,andwentawayfromForli.Giuliawasheart-broken,andhergriefwassogreatthatshemusthavehalfthetowntoconsoleher.ThenGiorgio'sconsciencecalmeddown,andhecameback,andGiuliathrewoverallherlovers.' 'Idon'tbelieveasinglewordyousay.' 'Onmyhonour,it'strue.' 'Onthefaceofit,thestoryisfalse.Ifshereallyloveshim,whydotheynotkeeptogethernowthatthereisnohindrance?' 'BecauseGiuliahastheheartofastrumpetandcan'tbefaithfultoanyoneman.She'sveryfondofhim,buttheyquarrel,andshetakesasuddenfancyforsomebodyelse,andforawhiletheywon'tseeoneanother.Butthereseemssomemagicalcharmbetweenthem,forsoonerorlatertheyalwayscomebacktooneanother.Ibelieve,iftheywereattheendsoftheworld,eventuallytheywouldbedrawntogether,eveniftheystruggledwithalltheirmightagainstit.And,Ipromiseyou,Giorgiohasstruggledhetriestopartwithherforgoodandall,andeachtimetheyseparatehevowsitshallbeforever.Butthereisaninvisiblechainanditalwaysbringshimback.' Istoodlookingathiminsilence.Strange,horriblethoughtspassedthroughmyheadandIcouldnotdrivethemaway.Itriedtospeakquitecalmly. 'Andhowisitwhentheyaretogether?' 'Allsunshineandstorm,butastimegoesonthestormgetslongerandblackerandthenGiorgiogoesaway.' 'But,goodGod!man,howdoyouknow?'Icriedinagony. Heshruggedhisshoulders. 'Theyquarrel?'Iasked. 'Furiously!Hefeelshimselfimprisonedagainsthiswill,withthedooropentoescape,butnotthestrengthtodoitandsheisangrythatheshouldloveherthus,tryingnottoloveher.Itratherseemstomethatitexplainsherownexcessesherotherlovesarepartlytoshowhimhowmuchsheisloved,andtopersuadeherselfthatsheislovable.' Ididnotbelieveit.Oh,no,IswearIdidnotbelieveit,yetIwasfrightened,horriblyfrightenedbutIwouldnotbelieveasinglewordofit. 'Listen,Matteo,'Isaid.'YoubelievebadlyofGiuliabutyoudonotk