Military life in Italy : sketches - Societa italiana di storia militare

CARMELA, 167
"
gladly ! " Then let us appoint the time." And they arranged
From that day on, every morning
all those who
their meetings.
crossed the square heard a great clashing of swords, stamping
of feet, puffing, and noise in the lieutenant's house. It was
the marshal and himself who were " fencing. You may spare
yourself this experiment," said the doctor to the officer one
" "
day. Does she give no " "
sign
? None at all." But it was
worth trying. I was told that he fenced every morning with
the marshal, just at that hour, and that she, not liking to stay
"
and look on, went down into the square." Oh, yes, my dear
friend, something else is needed. Something else is needed "
!
VII.
A month and a half had passed since the day of
the new detachment's
arrival. One night the officer sat at the little table
in his own house, opposite the doctor, and with the point of
his pen stirring up the flame of the candle burning before him,
he said " : How do you think it will end ? I shall become
mad too ;
that 's how it will end. I am ashamed of myself.
Look here ;
there are moments in which it seems as if
every
one were laughing at me behind my back."
" Laughing at what ? "
" At what ?
"
reply.
repeated the other, in order to seize time for a
" Laughing at my zeal, my pity for this poor unfortunate
creature, my experiments, my useless attempts."
" Zeal !
pity These are not ! subjects for laughter." And
he fixed his "
eyes on the other's face ;
then added : Tell me
"
the truth ; you have fallen in love with Carmela ?
" " I ? hastily exclaimed the officer, and he stopped in the
midst of his question, growing red to the roots of his hair.