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Rappaccini's Daughter
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"Norarethereany,"repliedGiovanni,whohadturnedpaleastheprofessorspoke;"nor,Ithink,isthereanyfragranceexceptinyourworship’simagination.Odors,beingasortofelementcombinedofthesensualandthespiritual,areapttodeceiveusinthismanner.Therecollectionofaperfume,thebareideaofit,mayeasilybemistakenforapresentreality."
"Ay;butmysoberimaginationdoesnotoftenplaysuchtricks,"saidBaglioni;"and,wereItofancyanykindofodor,itwouldbethatofsomevileapothecarydrug,wherewithmyfingersarelikelyenoughtobeimbued.OurworshipfulfriendRappaccini,asIhaveheard,tinctureshismedicamentswithodorsricherthanthoseofAraby.Doubtless,likewise,thefairandlearnedSignoraBeatricewouldministertoherpatientswithdraughtsassweetasamaiden’sbreath;butwoetohimthatsipsthem!"
Giovanni’sfaceevincedmanycontendingemotions.ThetoneinwhichtheprofessoralludedtothepureandlovelydaughterofRappacciniwasatorturetohissoul;andyettheintimationofaviewofhercharacteroppositetohisown,gaveinstantaneousdistinctnesstoathousanddimsuspicions,whichnowgrinnedathimlikesomanydemons.ButhestrovehardtoquellthemandtorespondtoBaglioniwithatruelover’sperfectfaith.
"Signorprofessor,"saidhe,"youweremyfather’sfriend;perchance,too,itisyourpurposetoactafriendlyparttowardshisson.Iwouldfainfeelnothingtowardsyousaverespectanddeference;butIprayyoutoobserve,signor,thatthereisonesubjectonwhichwemustnotspeak.YouknownottheSignoraBeatrice.
