“Will you make a fool of me?” cried Giovanni, passionately.
“I tell you, my poor Giovanni, that Rappaccini has a scientific interest in you. You have fallen into terrible hands! And the Signora Beatrice, – what part does she act in this mystery?”
But Guasconti, finding Baglioni intolerable, broke away, and was gone before the professor could again seize his arm. He looked after the young man and shook his head.
“This must not be,” said Baglioni to himself. “He is the son of my old friend, and must not suffer from any harm from which the medical science can preserve him. Besides, why should Rappaccini take the boy out of my own hands, as I may say, and use him for his experiments. This daughter of his! It shall be looked to![17]”
Giovanni, after a short walk, found himself at the door of his lodgings. As he crossed the threshold he was met by old Lisabetta, who smiled, and was evidently eager to attract his attention.
“Signor! signor!” whispered she. “Listen, signor! There is a private entrance into the garden!”
“What do you say?” exclaimed Giovanni, turning quickly about. “A private entrance into Dr. Rappaccini’s garden?”
“Hush! hush! not so loud!” whispered Lisabetta, putting her hand over his mouth. “Yes; into the doctor’s garden, where you may see all his fine plants. Many young men in Padua would give gold to be admitted among those flowers.”
Giovanni put a piece of gold into her hand.
“Show me the way,” said he.
His conversation with Baglioni made him think that this might be connected with the intrigue, in which Dr. Rappaccini was involving him. But such a suspicion, though it disturbed Giovanni, it did not stop him. The instant that he was aware of the possibility of approaching Beatrice, it seemed necessary to do so. It did not matter whether she were angel or demon; he was within her sphere; and yet, strange to say, there came across him a sudden doubt whether this intense interest was really so deep and positive; whether it was not the fantasy of a young man.
Примечания
1
Holy Virgin – Пресвятая Дева
2
a habitable air – жилой вид
3
Why should – c какой стати
4
which seemed to have been cultivated with exceeding care – которые, по-видимому, очень заботливо возделывались
5
this plant must be consigned to your sole charge – это растение нужно полностью вверить твоим заботам
6
the garden proved to be – оказался сад
7
a letter of introduction – рекомендательное письмо
8
it will not do – не годится
9
оn the other hand – с другой стороны
10
God forbid – Боже упаси
11
now and then – время от времени
12
has effected a marvellous cure – добился чудесного исцеления
13
and was about to fasten it in her bosom – и уже собиралась приколоть его себе на грудь. Оборот ‘to be about to do smth’ означает, что действие не было выполнено.
14
but few as the moments were – но как бы быстро всё ни произошло
15
fixed his eyes upon – остановил взгляд на
16
must have seen you – должно быть, он видел вас
17
It shall be looked to! – Этим необходимо заняться!