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e.Idrewhertomeandkissedherbeautifulmouthsensualandmoist,herlipsdeepredandheavy.... Wesatsidebysidelookingatthefountain,breathinginthescentedair. 'WhencanIseeyou?'Iwhispered. 'To-morrow....Aftermidnight.Comeintothelittlestreetbehindmyhouse,andadoorwillbeopenedtoyou.' 'Claudia!' 'Good-bye.Youmustnotcomebackwithmenow,wehavebeenawaysolong,peoplewouldnoticeus.Waithereawhileafterme,andthentherewillbenofear.Good-bye.' Sheleftme,andIstretchedmyselfonthemarbleseat,lookingatthelittleringswhichthedropsmadeastheyfellonthewater.MyloveforGiuliawasindeedfinishednow—dead,buried,andastoneVenuserectedoveritasonlysignofitsexistence.Itriedtothinkofasuitableinscription....Timecouldkillthemostobstinatelove,andabeautifulwoman,withthebreezesofspringtohelpher,couldcarryawayeventheremembrance.Ifeltthatmylifewasnowcomplete.Ihadallpleasuresimaginableatmybeckandcall:goodwinestodrink,goodfoodstoeat,niceclothesgames,sportsandpastimesand,lastofall,thegreatestgiftthegodscanmake,abeautifulwomantomyyouthandstrength.Ihadarrivedatthesummitofwisdom,thepointaimedatbythewiseman,totakethedayasitcomes,seizingthepleasures,avoidingthedisagreeable,enjoyingthepresent,andgivingnothoughttothepastorfuture.That,Isaidtomyself,isthehighestwisdom—nevertothinkforthewayofhappinessistoliveinone'ssensesasthebeasts,andliketheox,chewingthecud,usethemindonlytoconsiderone'ssuperioritytotherestofmankind. IlaughedalittleasIthoughtofmytearsandcrieswhenGiulialeftme.ItwasnotamatterworthtroublingaboutallIshouldhavesaidtomyselfwasthatIwasafoolnottoabandonherbeforesheabandonedme.PoorGiulia!Iquitefrightenedherinthevehemenceofmyrage. ThefollowingeveningIwouldnotletMatteogotobed. 'Youmustkeepmecompany,'Isaid,'Iamgoingoutatone.' 'Verywell,'hesaid,'if