Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-20
IN VENICE.

has been guide and mentor for several
| weeks.
Scene: The dining-rooIn of Venetian
palace. The room is lighted by shaded
candles in massive silver candlestlcks on
the table. A full moon is shining through
the open windows that give upon a bal
cony.
Princess dipping a bunch Of grapes
into her fnger-bowD-I think one
only dimes for the sake of dessert.
George Qaconically peeling fig
Women mayhem certainly don't.
Princess-Of course they don't.
Men are so much more material, es-
pecially where foods are concerned.
Yet, when you first came to Venice,
I thought your enthusiasm would con-
quer your appetite. You were quite
charming then.
George (boyishly)-But you told
me when you first met me that |
should be quite charming when / had
exhausted my adiectives; and now you
say | was quite charming then.
Princess (smiling)-You are a de-
licious boy. You actually believe
everything woman says.
George (reproachfully) = Some
women, Princess.
Princess seriously, after silence)
You English are so liberal, you
have no subtlety-that is why you
don't appreciate dessert, when one
may talk as one pleases over ones
wine, with no servants to check ones
tongue. George fushes and is about
to speak.) Now don't interrupt. You
English, as 1 say, are liberal, but you
are adorable. Your minds are as
clear as your faces. Solid foods de-
light your palates and solid facts sat
isfy your intellects. In fact you sur
round your minds with cactus hedge
of facts.
George (smiling)-And is this ha-
rangue entirely apropos Of dessert?
Princess-Ah, be English-be
serious. l have never known an Eng
lishman so intimately as l have known
you, and | want you to talk to me just
as you would to one of your own coun-
trywomen-facts if you will
George (earnestly)-But, Princess,
it is quite impossible to talk to you as
one would to an English girl You
YOU are so different.
Princess-That is because l am
widow, and, consequently, have all
the experience of matrimony without
the drawback of a husband.
George "a trife sententiously)-I
don't like to hear a woman talk badly
of marriage. (Then naturally and
with some heat. } Besides it isn't play
ing the game. When a woman mar
ries she practically CANDLES, playing
either for money or love. IL she loses
her stakes she shouldn't grumble.
But so many of you seem to think
that if you marry man for his posi-
ton or moneybags, and then find that |
these are not wholly satisfying, you
have perfect right to talk cynically |
of marriage. And on the other hand |
if you marry for love-"
Princess (who has been smiling in
dulgently)-Yes, if we marry for
love? You are growing interesting.
George-Well- you make an
awful fuss if you draw an unlucky
number.
Princess (rising suddenly and going
to the window and speaking sadly
Yes, you are right; most women do
make fuss if they draw an unlucky
number. II drew an unlucky num-
Der.
George (who has risen also, twist
ing his servette nervously between his
1ingers)-I-I am awfully sorry I
said that. didn't know.
Princess Qaconically)-Very few
people do.
George Crossing the room and
standing beside her and speaking inn
petuously)-I always seem to be hurt
ing you or making you angry. You're
so clever, and Pm such laundering
idiot. You bewilder me, and blurt
out things | should never dream of
saying to any other woman. (The
princess does not speak, and there is
long silence.) You don't know what
a difference you have made to my visit
to Venice. Before / met you didn't
understand its beauty in the least;
but you have taught me so many
things, and / shall never cease to be
grateful to you. Have sinned past
forgiveness,
Princess stepping on to the bal
cony)-Come and look at the moon,
the Venetian moon. You only spoke
the truth.--and women hate the truth.
(Then lightly) Have ! been such
good tutor after all?