"A GARIBALDIAN IN THE CONVENT" "Is this it, Grandma?" "Yes, this is it." "Now, remember to behave yourselves." "The marchesina can't stand a lot of noise." "Ah, my lady!" "Is the marchesina here?" "She went out half an hour ago for a walk." "She'll be back soon." "Come in, Ma'am." "Thank you." "Are these your granddaughters?" "Yes." "The marchesina wanted to meet them." "I brought 2 along, but I have another 8." "Eight?" "Eight." "Two of which are already married." "Soon, I'll be a great grandmother." "Congratulations, Ma'am." "No!" "Don't bother coming up, Filippo, I know the way." "Instead, go and tell Maddalena to prepare us a nice mug of..." "Hot chocolate!" "Hot chocolate." "Very well, Ma'am." "Maddalena, Maddalena!" "I'll never understand this obsession Mariella has to keep everything closed." "Light, air!" "How much I'd love to clear out all these useless old things!" "Is the marchesina very old?" "No, she's just 3 years older than me, but after everything she's been through..." "Grandma, is that the marchesina?" "Which?" "That one." "No." "That's Mariella's aunt, Rosalinda..." "The marquise Rosalinda Dominiani." "That one's Mariella." "She was very pretty." "Yes, she looks like an angel." "Poor Mariella, so sweet and innocent!" "Were you good friends?" "Friends?" "We couldn't stand one another." "Why?" "Our families were old enemies." "They were noble, we were rich, and that was that!" "We lived just opposite." "See?" "In that building." "Grandma, you lived in the town hall?" "Of course not!" "Now it's a town hall, but it used to be our house." "My uncles sold the building." "I spent the happiest years of my life there." "Do you see that terrace down there?" "Now it's changed, but it used to be so different." "Back then  it was full of flowers, animals..." "It was my little paradise." "A kind of Noah's Ark." "Mariella, hurry up!" "I'm coming, Auntie!" "Mariella!" "Mariella!" "Mariella, what are you doing?" "Are you still not ready?" "I'm ready, Auntie, I just need to put my hat on." "Then hurry up, we're already late!" "Nunziata, take the cases downstairs!" "Hey, my good man!" "Why don't you load those poor animals onto the carriage?" "Can't you see that they're having difficulty standing up?" "Don't listen to those plebeians, it's just ignorance talking." "Please, don't say such things, if the marquise hears you..." "Poor Giacinto, are you scared we might offend her excellency's delicate ears?" "These days people have no manners!" "Doesn't even acknowledge our greeting!" "Let's go." "Let's go, Matteo!" "Stop!" "Nunziata, Nunziata!" "Please keep all the windows closed  and if anyone asks for me, tell them I'll be back this weekend." "Quickly, quickly!" "Uncle, is it really an act of love to throw a rose at someone?" "Yes, it's an act of love." "And what does the lady do when someone throws a rose at them?" "Well, picks it up and smells it." "Oh, really?" "Is that what the marquise does when you throw her them?" "No, she always pretends not to notice." "Then why don't you throw her a vase as well?" "That way she's sure to notice." " Did you get all of that?" " Yes, Marquise." "Quickly, quickly, she's leaving!" "Let's go, Matteo." "Do you think she noticed?" "I guess not." "In taking on this most heavy and honourable burden with which you have entrusted me  I say to you, gentlemen, that from this day on, the rest of my life will be  dedicated to serving the people." "Who?" "Not Rocca Priora, nor its citizens  but those people who wish to achieve well-being and prosperity." "Very good." "To nominate one as Gonfalonier of the community is not to pay homage to  the famous modesty and other positive merits of man  but to impose upon the citizen a new duty." "A duty that I will be sure to uphold  with misty-eyed grace and honour." "And if I fail, every one of you will  have the right to ask me:" ""What have you done, awful traitor?"" "What is this insolence?" "!" ""How dare you show yourself in front of me?" "You deserve to be flogged."" "Stop that!" "How dare you?" "Quiet!" "He's not talking to you." "This is what each of you may tell me if I am found unworthy of your faith." "Good, well done." "Count Amidei!" "Miss Mariella has gone with the Marquise to the boarding school in Santa Rossana." "Boarding school?" "She gave me this ticket for you." "Thank you." "What's wrong, Mariella, why are you so quiet?" "It's nothing, Auntie, why do you ask?" "Is it so terrible to be returning to school?" "Of course not, Auntie." "I'm very happy." "I can see that." "Your eyes are full of tears." "No, it's just dust." "The dust from the road in my eyes." "Matteo, at this rate we'll get here tomorrow!" "Marquise, Bucintoro has asthma, and Rodomonte has rheumatism!" "We have to go slowly!" "They'll never understand, I don't know..." "There they are, down there!" "This is what each of you may tell me if I am found unworthy of your faith." "And if I succeed in this arduous task, I will not ask for honour or praise  but will be satisfied just to know that I have been useful to the community." "Quick, they're already at the table!" "All this rubbish I have to wear!" "Caterinetta, Caterinetta!" "Miss Caterinetta!" "In taking on this most heavy and honourable burden with which you have entrusted me  I say to you, gentlemen, that from this day on, the rest of my life will be  dedicated to serving the people." "Who?" "Not Rocca Priora, nor its citizens  but those people who wish to achieve well-being and prosperity." "Your applause, gentlemen, will be used to incite and spur me on." "I propose a toast, to His Excellency's health." "To his... to..." "Louder, he's nearly deaf." "To Your Excellency's health!" "A toast to your health, Excellency!" " Why is he so angry?" " A toast to your health, Excellency." "A toast to your health, Excellency!" "To the good health of Mr. Borgini, who at the oratory of Cicerone  imposes the strictness of Catone." "To the good health of the respectable Sir Pianerelli, a model of integrity." "To the good health of the distinguished Miss Colombelli  a shining example of all female virtues and grace." "Mother of God!" "A mouse!" "There he is!" "Move out the way!" "Disgusting creatures!" "Caterinetta!" "Caterinetta!" "Where are you?" "Why are they all so excited?" " For a mouse, Excellency!" " Ah, wonderful!" "Good for him!" "Caterinetta!" "Caterinetta!" "If you don't stop now the punishment will be worse." "Where are the others?" "They've gone back to the village." "Did they catch any foxes?" "Not even one, Count." "As per usual!" "Give me the rifle, someone should at least catch something today." "Murderer, murderer!" "Bandit, murderer!" "You almost killed me!" "What a day, what a day!" "Almost fired and then fired at!" "I'm so sorry, please excuse me." "I thought that..." "Well done!" "What a great hunter!" "I didn't realise that women these days walk around with birds on their heads." "I'll put whatever I like on my head!" "Tell me, girl, haven't we met?" "I'm not a girl, and I won't allow you to talk to be in such a manner!" "Are you always so impertinent and rude?" "I could be a lot worse!" "You know what you need?" "Yes: to be around educated people, not people more rude than me." "No, you need a good spanking!" "Spank me?" "Ha, there isn't a man alive who would even dare to!" "Are you sure about that?" "Come here!" "Stop that!" "Enough, enough!" "You bite really hard!" "Little viper!" "You know what I'll do?" "Tell your parents to send you to school." "To school, me?" "That's right." "A boarding school." "They haven't built a boarding school that could hold me!" "My children, I present to you Caterinetta Belleli, who is here  to join our family with her wonderful presence." "Love her and care for her as though she was your own sister." "Caterinetta?" "Do you know her?" "Yes!" "No!" "Is she from your village?" "Yes." "Go on, Caterinetta, give your new classmates a kiss." "All of them?" "Certainly, it's tradition." " Anna Belardi." " Maria Chiari." " Giulia Marenghi." " Luisa Rosati." " Franca Saiti." " Giuseppina Mancuso." " Giuseppina Formenti." " Slowly!" " Maria Fabriano" " Slowly!" " Giovanna Aleardi." " Slowly!" " Giuseppa Mondini." " Please!" " Anna Fabriano." " Giulia Andreotti." "Why do you and Caterinetta hate each other so much?" "Shut up!" " Anna Bonasco." " Piera Reni." " Renata Capello." " Luisa Ventura." " Mariella Dominiani." " Ah, that's better!" "Luisa Bianchini." "Gertrude Corvetti, go on!" " Lilliana Poletti." " Renata Gori." "Ileana Giulietti." "And now, my children, you may return to your recreation." " Recreation!" " Go on, my child." "So, what happened between you and Caterinetta Belleli?" "What do you mean?" "Nothing." "I can tell that you don't like her." "You don't know anything." "Don't forget that I'm on your side." "I hated her straight away." "If you need help, just ask." "Thanks, but that won't be necessary." "What are you doing?" "!" "Who are you?" "What are you doing here?" "Nothing bad, Sir." "Sir?" "I'm not a sir and I've never been one." "Don't call me that again." "Excuse me, good man." "Good man?" "Why good man?" "Who told you I'm a good man?" "I don't know, I was just saying." "What do you want me to call you?" "Nothing at all!" "Why do you need to call me anything?" "You should know that no girls from the school are allowed in here." "Out!" "Alright, I'm going!" "I'm leaving right now." "No, hold on." "What are you hiding?" "Nothing." "It belongs to me." "What is it?" "Fruit?" "Have you been stealing my fruit?" "Let me see!" "It's mine, I tell you!" "I've never stolen anything!" "Be quiet!" "Let me see!" "No!" "I don't want to!" "No, no, no!" "Let me see!" "What is that?" "A mouse?" "No, it's a guinea pig." "It's mine, I brought it from home." "You know what I should do, don't you?" "What?" "Drag you up there by the ear to see the mother superior." "No!" "Yes." "And you know she would do?" "Punish you, and put your pet..." "Put my pet where?" "Never mind." "She hates animals." "Won't even allow me to keep a dog  to guard the vegetables." "Just imagine if she knew about your guinea pig." "Good, this should do fine." "I'll have to adjust the door." "She'll be like a queen in there." "I kept Michele in here, a beautiful parrot." "He used to curse all day long." "But the mother superior wasn't interested." "The bird goes, or I go." "What could I do?" "I couldn't lose my job for Michele." "And she won't let you keep any other animals?" "None at all." "Strict orders." "What are they?" "Blackbirds." "All blackbirds." "You should hear them sing..." "They're so ugly." "Ugly?" "No, I mean funny-looking." "That bald one reminds me of my uncle Giovanni." "That's Bartolomeo, the leader of the orchestra." "He's always the one who starts, then the others follow." " Benedicto Domine!" " Deo Gratias." "You're late, Mariella." "Excuse me, Mother, one of my shoes came untied." "You too, Caterinetta." "I was helping with her shoe." "Don't let it happen again, otherwise I'll be forced to punish you." "Now sit down!" "Why did you tell her that you helped me with my shoe?" "It's a lie." "I know." "And I suppose you told the truth?" "Me?" "Of course I told the truth." "Then I told the truth as well." "We want soup!" "We want soup!" "Silence!" "What happened between you two?" "Nothing." "Our families are old enemies." "She's so unpleasant with that haughty expression..." "I'm on your side." "If you need help, you can count on me." "Thanks, but I'll be fine." ""Dear Chubby, I received the cakes that you sent me, and..."" ""To Don Giacinto Belleli."" " Ma'am, Don Giacinto Belleli is here." " Don Giacinto Belleli?" " Yes." " Call him in." "Marquise, please excuse my sudden presence here  but it seems that the postman has made a mistake with our letters." " Yes, this letter isn't for me." " Thank you." "You're welcome." "Marquise, if I was only sure of your indulgence, I would dare confess  that for 18 years I've been dreaming and waiting for this very moment." "So many years, 18, Marquise, and every day I wait anxiously  to be allowed to see you." "I spy on your every movement  from my window." "If you only knew how much I suffered, 2 years ago  when I wasn't able to see you for 3 months because you were very ill..." " I've never been "very ill"." " Well, I was told that..." "You were told wrong." "I was doing my spiritual exercises." "Very well, Marquise." "During those long months of your spiritual exercises  I asked for help from my adviser." "I started writing verses to Galatea." "I hope it won't offend you to know that behind this mythological veil  my verses are dedicated to you, Marquise. 472 sonnets  one hymn in terza rima, 22 hymns in blank verse." "I have already filled  four complete volumes with my work, volumes that I would love to give you..." " Send him away!" "I can't stand him!" " "Not as a woman but as a goddess  you appear in my dreams." "Your hair was free over your milky breast, divine  image, I inhale and exhale, and I feel like fainting."" "If you please." "Yes, she's really mad at you." "She says that you're haughty  that whenever she sees you, she can barely stop herself  from slapping you in the face." "Why?" "What did I ever do to her?" "That's exactly what I asked her." "And what did she say?" "She told me things that I don't have the courage to repeat in front of you." "Tell me what she said!" "It's useless insisting, I told you that I won't repeat it!" "Please, Gertrude, don't talk to me about these things again." "I'll tell you now, once and for all:" "I don't like to gossip." "She doesn't like to gossip!" "Mr. Belleli is asking for a report on the conduct and performance  of his niece Caterinetta." " What shall we tell him?" "Little Caterinetta isn't terribly fond of studying  but she's full of good will, and has a heart of gold." "Yes, a heart of gold!" "Do you know what she calls me?" "Sister Ciabatta!" "Yes, that's true." "She has a restless temperament, but that's normal." "Poor thing!" "She's always been left to her own devices." "That's precisely why we must be doubly strict with her!" "Yes, she has a real problem with you." "She was just saying how rude you are." "Oh, really?" "Of course, I defended you." "You know that we're friends, right?" "But she really hates you." "Says that you're a plebeian." "That's what she said?" "Yes, that's right?" "And many other things that I don't dare repeat to your face." "Wait!" "What are you doing?" "You'll see!" "Listen here, Princess!" "What do you want?" "You know very well what I want?" "I'm rude, am I?" "A plebeian?" "Well?" "!" "What are you saying?" "I don't understand..." "Ah, you don't understand?" "You'll understand soon enough!" ""Caterinetta demonstrates a delicate sensibility, which is proof of her..."" ""... kindness and goodness of character." What do you want, Gertrude?" "Mother Superior, something terrible has happened!" "What is it?" "Caterinetta bit Mariella!" "She bit her on the hand." "Why on earth did she do that?" "No idea." "She suddenly jumped on her for no reason." "We tried to stop her..." "Sister, please go and check on them and report back to me immediately." "Yes, Mother!" " Where were we?" " "... kindness and goodness of character."" "No, no." "We'll have to start again." ""Sir Raimondo Belleli, I regret to inform you..."" ""... that your niece has committed an act that, given the gravity of the situation..."" ""... we feel you must be made aware of." "Without motive or justification, she bit..."" ""... the hand of one of her classmates, the marchesina Mariella Mariella Dominiani""" "Good girl, that's how you do it!" "If she bit the girl on the hand, she must have had her reasons." "She's upholding the family honour." "Delinquents!" "This is what happens when one resorts to accepting people of a lower class  into a respectable institution." "It can't be too serious, just a little bite." "In the meantime, go and fetch Mariella." "How can I possibly think to  leave my niece alone, helpless in the clutches of this demon?" "Marquise, Don Giacinto Belleli is here to pay his respects." "Don Giacinto Belleli!" "Very well, let him in!" "I felt I should bring you the verses I have written for the divine Galatea." "Galatea?" "How dare you show your face here after what has happened?" "You're a family of cannibals!" "That's what you are!" "Get out of here!" "None of you are to speak a single word to Caterinetta, or you'll be punished!" "Go on!" "What are you doing, Mariella?" "Don't you see?" "I'm taking a stroll." "Does your hand still hurt?" "No, it was nothing." "But her teeth-marks are still there." "Yes, but they'll go." "I discovered something about Caterinetta." "Want to hear it?" "I'm not interested." "Well, I'll tell you all the same." "I found out that she's hiding a mouse." "A mouse?" "Yes, in Tiepolo's hut." "Every night she takes it things to eat." "Imagine if Sister Ignazia found out." "They would kill her." "Well?" "Nothing." "I'm not going to tell her, but Sister Ignazia is very clever." "Recreation hour is over!" "Go on, I'll be there soon!" "If you like, I can wait for you." "Thanks, but... okay, let's go." "You're hiding a mouse, aren't you?" "What does it matter to you?" "Be careful." "There's someone who's planning on telling Sister Ignazia." "I just wanted to warn you." "Tiepolo!" "Tiepolo!" "We have to find another place to hide the guinea pig!" "Why?" "Have you seen cat?" "No, but one of the girls found out, and might go and tell Sister Ignazia." "Oh, dear." "That means they'll find out about my blackbirds, too!" "Who cares about blackbirds?" "All I care about is the guinea pig!" "Well I care about the blackbirds!" "Go on, leave it to me." "It's all your fault, coming down here at all hours to give it food." "What are you doing?" "Nothing, don't you see?" "I'm just taking a stroll." "I found out something about Mariella." "Want to hear it?" "No, I don't want to know anything!" "Well, I'll tell you all the same." "Look." "What is it?" "It's a forbidden book:" ""The last letters of Jacopo Ortis"" "If the Mother Superior found out that Mariella is reading such things  they would expel her from the school." "Ah, yes?" "Really?" "Of course!" "Give me that book." "Why?" "Because if you even think of telling on her, you'll be in trouble!" "Caterinetta!" "I'll rip your nose off!" "What are you doing here?" "Nothing, Mother." "What's that book?" "Nothing." "Give it to me!" "Give it to me, I say!" "THE LAST LETTERS OF JACOPO ORTIS" "Caterinetta!" "It shames me just to think that a girl from our  might be reading such books." "We've never had such a scandal." "Who gave you this book?" "Nobody." "What do you mean, nobody?" "Caterinetta, you would do better to confess everything." "That's the only way to avoid the severe punishment that you deserve." "Come on, talk!" "Who gave you this book?" "Nobody, Mother." "It's mine." "Look, Caterinetta." "I'll be forced to inform the bishop of this  and that will only mean more serious action is taken." "So, are you going to tell me where you got this book or not?" "I already told you, Mother." "It's mine!" "How I got it isn't important." "Very well, you may go." ""To Mariella Dominiani, with devoted admiration." "F.A"" "Caterinetta, wait." "Come here." "Sister, go and get Mariella Dominiani." "No, Mother!" "Mariella isn't to blame." "The book is mine, I swear it's mine!" "My child, remember that to swear something that's false is a sin." "Come forward." "This book is yours, is it not?" "Yes, Mother." "It's mine." "You may go, Caterinetta." "Go on, off you go!" "Caterinetta!" "Thank you." "You're welcome." "Why did you tell them that the book was yours?" "Because I'm a Belleli, and us Belleli are generous people." "What did you tell the Mother Superior?" "The truth." "That the book was mine." "Because I'm a Dominiani  and us Dominiani don't accept help or sacrifices from anyone." "Girls, I found out something terrible about Claretta." "Want to hear it?" "No!" "Well, I'll tell you anyway." "It seems that..." "Gertrude!" "You know that you're not allowed to talk to those who are being punishment." "Now you're punished as well!" "Go on!" "I sent someone out to find the marchesina." "She'll be back soon." "Thank you, Filippo." "Is everything okay?" "Yes, thank you." "Everything's fine." "And then, Grandma?" "And then what?" "The story you were telling us." "What?" "You want to know everything?" "Yes, everything." "We have to wait for the marchesina anyway." "Did you ever see that boy again?" "Just a moment, just a moment." "Let's not get ahead of ourselves." "Anyway..." "The school year had ended." "You know that it's bad for you!" "We had already packed out things.." "... and in the morning, our parents were coming to take us home for the holidays." "It was during prayer time..." "Good evening!" "It's you!" "I told you a thousand times not to come here at this hour." "Yes, but who would give it dinner?" "What do you have there?" "Nothing." "It doesn't concern you." "Why not?" "Oh wow, rifles?" "What are you doing with rifles?" "Nothing." "I need them." "I need them for hunting  and don't bother me with all these questions!" "How rude!" "You're nothing but a lout!" "If you only knew how little I care about you and your rifles." "That's all I need." "To have to explain myself to little girls." "Lout!" "Oaf!" "Caterinetta!" "Hold on." "Come here." "Can I trust you?" "Of course you can trust me." "Okay." "Do you know who these rifles are for?" "For who?" "For him!" "Garibaldi!" "Who's Garibaldi?" "What world do you live in?" "Everyone knows who Garibaldi is." "Well I don't!" "Actually, wait, now I remember." "Isn't he that bandit?" "Bandit?" "My uncles tell me that he's a bandit, a corsair." "Then your uncles are idiots!" "That's what they are." "Uncle Raimondo and Uncle Giovanni, yes, but Uncle Giacinto isn't an idiot!" "I don't know this Giacinto!" "But if he calls Garibaldi a bandit then he's nothing but a wretch!" "He doesn't call Garibaldi a bandit, he defends him!" "He defends him?" "Really?" "Yes." "They always fight over this." "Once they even came to blows." "Poor Uncle Giacinto!" "They made his head swell up like this." "Good!" "Then he is a generous man." "And there are man like him, many." "We are ready." "The day after tomorrow, the Garibaldians will come for the rifles." "Courageous young men, who want nothing more than to unite and fight with him." "Do you see now?" "Do you see?" "They're coming from all over Italy." "Rich, poor, noble, farmers..." "Not afraid of anything." "To fight like lions, and die singing:" ""Brothers of Italy, Italy has awoken..."" ""... with Scipio's helmet binding her head."" "Quiet!" "Quiet!" "It isn't time to sing yet!" " A rifle shot?" " I think so." "They won't come and fight around here." "Don't look so shocked." "We don't want to scare the girls!" "Now get out of here!" "If God is watching, someone will come and find you." "Go on!" "Don't you recognise me?" "Yes, you're the one who shot at a hat!" "Yes, that's me." "What are you doing here?" "Me?" "Whatever I like!" "What's behind this wall?" "A boarding sch..." "No, I'm not telling you." "I see." "A boarding school, I guess that's you finished." "Come on, help me over." "In here?" "Are you mad?" "Get out of here!" "I can't, I'm wounded." "I can't take the saddle anymore." "Let me in." "If they find me, they'll kill me." "Who wants to kill me?" "The Bourbons." "They shot at me, but I managed to get away!" "Why did they shoot you?" "Why?" "Don't you see?" "I'm a Garibaldian!" "A Garibaldian?" "Yes." "Just for a little while, then I'll go." "Come on, come on." "My horse!" "I'll have to bring it inside." "Your horse?" "Tiepolo will take care of it." "Tiepolo?" "Who's Tiepolo?" "He's a friend." "We can trust him, come on." "You again?" "He's wounded." "Ring the bell." "My horse!" "My horse..." "Excuse me, sisters!" "Have you seen a man on horseback?" "A Garibaldian?" "No!" "We haven't seen anyone." "Why?" "Are we in danger?" "Everyone is in danger when those animals are around!" "Don't worry, Sister, we'll protect you." "Excuse us, good evening." "You're not going to put the horse in here, are you?" "Where else can I hide it?" "There are blackbirds, a guinea pig, we may as well." "Here you go." "There we go, you'll be fine here." "How is he?" "He needs a doctor." "A doctor?" "Where will we find a doctor?" "The one who comes to the school would report us right away." "We could tell the Mother Superior." "Are you crazy?" "Do you know what a Garibaldian is for them?" "The devil.." "No, no." "We'll have to help him ourselves." "Tell me, what's the name of that girl who helps the nurse?" "Who?" "Mariella?" "Yes." "She'll help us." "Go on, go and call her." " There were four shots!" " No, ten!" " Ten?" "!" " Yes, I counted them!" " Giuseppina told me four." " Let's go and ask Giuseppina, come on!" "Listen, do you know how to cure a fever?" "Why?" "Who has a fever?" "So many questions!" "Do you know or not?" "Of course I do." "But I need to see, to know what..." "There's a man." "A wounded man, with a high fever." "Where?" "With Tiepolo." "A Garibaldian." "Oh my gosh!" "Quiet!" "Come on." "He's no longer delirious, but his forehead is burning up." "What should we do?" "Mariella, what is it?" "Nothing, nothing, it's just sad." "She's one of us." "What?" "Mariella, you as well?" "Quick, we need to disinfect the wound, and wrap it in bandages." "Boil some water." "Be still, Sir." "Don't move or speak, otherwise you'll tire yourself out." "Please be still, Sir." "Otherwise you might hurt yourself." "We'll take care of everything." "We'll cure you, I swear we will." "Leave it to us." "Let's go, Tiepolo!" "Tiepolo, I want to be one, too." "You're too little." "What?" "If Mariella is one, then I can be as well." "And anyway, who found him outside?" "Me." "Who carried him to the hut?" "I bet that if Garibaldi knew..." "Be quiet!" "If the Mother Superior hears you, we're finished." "Look out!" "Franco, don't get up." "You must be suffering." "No, I don't feel it, because you're here." "I can see you, I can hold you close." "I could die here, right now!" "We'll never be apart again, my love." "We've brought everything." "Bandages, disinfectant, and some soup." "Yes, but now you have to get out of here." "I'll take care of him." "Boil the water..." "If you're not in your rooms by bedtime." "Get out of here, girls, go on!" "How are you feeling?" "Mariella, are you not asleep?" "No, I'm not tired." "Me neither." "Who knows why?" "Yes, who knows?" "Mariella, are we friends now?" "Yes, of course!" " What are they called?" " What is what called?" " Those beasts attached to the carriage." " Bucintoro and Rodomonte." "They're stallions." " Stallions?" "They were, perhaps." " They are." "Did you hear that, Isabella?" "Marquise, may I ask you a question?" " You may." " Thank you." "Will you be going to Santa Rossana for the end-of-year celebration?" " It's sure to be a wonderful." " I hope so." " Seeing that we're now lucky enough..." " Let's go, Matteo!" "Off we go, Filippo." "Be sure not to overtake the Marquise's carriage." "If we're stuck behind them, we won't get there until tomorrow." "Even if it takes us a month, I forbid you to overtake them." "Very well." ""Welcome, His Excellency, Mr. Governor, the inspiration..."" ""... your presence gives us makes your visit a truly great honour."" ""We are thankful for the Providence, for the benevolence..."" ""... for the joy our hearts fill with and we sing loudly for you."" "Thank you, Tiepolo." "Girls, you can set this up now." "The fever has gone down, but he's still in pain." "His arm, most of all." "You'll have to go to him." "I don't like to leave him alone." "Can you faint?" ""..." "Mr Governor..."" "Do you know how to faint?" ""..." "Mr Governor..."" "Mother!" "Mother, Mariella isn't well!" "Marquise, the horses cannot manage the hill." "What hill?" "I don't remember there being a hill here." "Unfortunately, Marquise, the horses do." "We will have to proceed, with your permission, to lighten the load." "Very well, go ahead." "In order to do so, Marquise, I'm going to have to ask you to get out." "Dear, oh dear!" "Not even the horses know how to do their duty these days." "Marquise, given that we share the same destination, please allow  me to remind you that our carriage is at your service." " Thanks, but I have one." " Yes, but your horses..." "My horses are perfectly fine." "I just needed to stretch my legs." " Ah, please excuse me." " You are excused." "Marquise, may I be allowed, perhaps, to stretch my legs also?" "I can't stop you, it's a free world." "Thank you!" "Good morning." "Good morning." "How are you?" "How are you, Sir?" "Better." "No, don't get up." "What happened?" "Before you were calling me "You", now it's "Sir"?" "Yes, before we were arguing, but now things are different..." "Do you always refer to those you argue with as "You"?" "Yes, it's easier, more natural." "I like this reasoning." "But even if I did call you "Sir", I hope that we're still friends." "I hope so." "Did you hear that, Miss Mariella?" "Yes, yes." "I heard." "Excuse me." "Why are you referring to her as "Miss" and me as "You"?" "Because... because you're just a girl and she is a lady." "A girl?" "What do you mean, girl?" "I'm only 3 years younger." "I wish people would stop calling me girl..." "In the last hymn you will find this little quatrain:" ""I wish I was that cherub, who could strike your heart..."" ""... to tell you, oh Goddess, how much pain you cause me, and to whisper sweet..."" "Matteo, how long does this hill go on for?" "4 kilometers, Marquise." "To put an end to this conversation, I'd like to accept your offer." " The verses to Galatea?" " No, the seat in your carriage." "Thank you, Marquise." "At your service." "Filippo, halt!" "Thank you." "Let's go." " If his lordship wouldn't mind..." " Yes, thank you." " ... helping me push." " Push?" " The horses just won't go on." " Very well, let's push." "Mariella, we should go." "They're probably looking for us." "See you later." "You go." "I'll catch up with you." "Okay." "Careful, Caterinetta might come back." "So she doesn't know that...?" "No, she doesn't know anything." "And it's better if it stays that way." "Why?" "Because..." "Because this secret is like a treasure I keep locked in my heart." "It would spoil everything if someone else knew." "Tiepolo!" "Traitors!" "Cheats!" "That's what you are!" "You acted like you didn't know each other." "And I, stupid girl, I believed you because..." "If I only knew that.." "Listen here  you could be so false." "Because I'm loyal..." "Mother of God!" "Help!" "Help!" "Help!" " Help!" "Help!" "Mother Superior!" " What's wrong, Sister Ignazia?" " Mother!" "A man!" "A man in the..." " Where?" "In Tiepolo's shed." "In his bed!" "In Tiepolo's shed?" "I saw him with my own eyes." "Mariella and Caterinetta are with him." "Mother, I assure you that there's nobody at all in my shed." "We'll see!" "No, no, Mother, no!" "I swear to you, Mother." "Let me look for myself." "So it's true." "A man!" "Mariella!" "Caterinetta!" "My God!" "Tiepolo, catch that individual!" "Get him out of here!" "No!" "No!" "Mariella!" "Have mercy on us, Mother." "I'll tell you everything." "He's my fiancé." "We've been together for 3 years, but have had to keep it a secret  we've not done anything wrong, I swear to you." "Have mercy on us!" "You're engaged?" "Who are you?" "What are you doing here?" "Count Franco Amidei, Lieutenant standard-bearer under the orders  of General Giuseppe Garibaldi." " A Garibaldian in the convent!" " A Garibaldian in the convent!" "Get out!" "Out!" "Out of here right now!" "It doesn't matter!" "Get him out!" "Get him out of here right now!" "No!" "What's that?" "What's going on?" "Nothing Mother, just blackbirds." "Blackbirds?" "What blackbirds?" "There, behind the curtain." " A horse!" "There's even a horse!" " Mother, the guests are arriving!" "The guests?" "My God, the guests!" "This is enough to drive one crazy." "Calm down!" "There's no need to lost it!" "Sister, go and receive the guests." " And you go and prepare the girls." " Yes, Mother." " Soon His Excellency will be here." " Yes, Mother." "You two, follow me." "And as for him..." "His Excellency!" "I beg all of you, don't breath a word of this scandal  to anybody." "The honour of the convent is at stake." "The honour of all of us!" "Excellency!" "They welcome you, Excellency." "It's a real pleasure for me to be part of this celebration of purity and innocence." "Thank you, Excellency, for allowing us just an hour of your precious time." "It will be the most beautiful hour I spend today." "Wait here!" "At this rate, you'll be spending your holidays in your rooms!" "Girls!" "Girls!" "I found out something incredible." "Did you know that..." "Get out!" "No." "I'll tell you anyway, it's too juicy." "There's... a Garibaldian in the convent!" "Caterinetta!" "Get out!" "But, it's true!" "It's true, Caterinetta!" "Don't you believe me?" "Caterinetta, Caterinetta!" "What are you doing?" "No!" "Ouch!" "Caterinetta!" "Go on, cry!" "I don't care." "I'm happy that they found us out." "Stop it, stop it!" "That's right!" "I'd love them to take him away, too!" "I'd tell them." "Want to know where he is?" "Come with me, I'll show you!" "There he is!" "Take him away!" "And her, too!" "Fiancé!" "What are you doing?" "Are you mad?" "I have to go." "I've done enough damage here." "What's wrong with your head, child?" "!" "Nice idea!" "They would capture you right away!" "No, we'll have to wait for dark." "And besides, I have good friends." " Wonderful, very well done!" " Thank you." "It wasn't me, Mother!" " Would you excuse me a moment, Excellency?" " Of course." " Mother!" " What's going on?" "It seems like the workers from the farm nearby have found out that..." "That man is in here!" " Well?" " Perhaps they've passed the news on." "Just imagine, Mother, the scandal and the consequences!" " Whatever shall we do?" " Report him." "Report him, right now." "Call those soldiers who were looking for him yesterday." "I'm sure they're still looking." "The Bourbons!" "My God, they'll kill him!" "It's them!" "It's them!" "They know!" "Now they'll arrest him!" "They'll open fire on all of us!" "Calm down!" "Come with me, sisters." "There's no need to ruin the celebration." "Sister Ignazia!" "Sister Ignazia!" "Go and entertain his Excellency." " His Excellency?" " Yes, His Excellency." " His Excellency, His Excellency..." " Come, sisters, come with me." "Halt!" "You may not pass through here!" "Why not?" "I'm Marquise Dominiani, I have to get to the convent in Santa Rossana." "Nobody is allowed close to it, I'm afraid." "Orders from the top." "Unthinkable!" ""Once more the rose doth bloom, that drooped awhile before, softly reposing..."" ""... on the lily-flowers of yore, and pupils shimmer bright, with eager sparks of light."" ""Cheeks are filled plumply out the pretty face to frame, round about the mouth..."" ""... flitteth a smile like flame, of vivid lightning sped, to lips again flushed red."" ""Tresses that a net, alas, was wont to hold, free down his shoulders now..."" ""... ripple like streams of gold, waiting new whims whence they may curl..."" " What's all that racket?" " Nothing, Excellency, it's nothing." ""... more terse and clean than ever!" "It speaks of the boy, my cure and my..."" ""... beloved!" "Crosses alone and eaten by the most terrible diseases..."" ""Today, the eleventh year, it brings him the gentle..."" "Open up!" "In the name of The King of Naples, I order you to open the door!" "How can I help you, gentlemen?" "Mother, we're here to capture a man who has taken refuge in the convent." "He who takes refuge in a house of God is untouchable." "Forgive us, Mother." "We're just here to do our duty." "He's an enemy, you see." "For us he is a man who is suffering." "He has the right to our mercy." "Mother of God, have mercy on me!" "Save him!" "Take me, if you must!" "Kill me, but save him!" "Mariella, don't cry." "You mustn't lose hope." "But it's hopeless." "It's over!" "It's over!" "Excellency, we have to follow orders." "Are you sure that this man is here?" "Yes, Excellency, it seems that he is being hidden in the caretaker's shed." "I'm sure that His Excellency will understand that I must follow orders." "Nobody appreciates your discipline more than me." "Well done." "Wait a moment." "Mother, nobody appreciates your spirit of charity  more than me." "Well done." "However, unfortunately the war  has brought its own painful necessities." "As Governor to His Majesty  I will have to authorize these men to carry out their tasks." "Very well." "Sisters, let us pray to the Lord." "Captain, we have two units between the farm and the mill." "Another at the crossroads." "Very good!" "Let the operation commence." "Excuse me, Captain." "Why are there so many soldiers?" " To capture the enemy." " But I thought he was wounded." " Sir, precautions can never be too much." " Ah, I see." "Very good!" " By two!" "By two!" " Line up!" "Line up!" "Line up!" "Line up!" "There's no more room, Sir!" " Very good!" " One, two, three, four, five, six, go!" "One, two, three, four, five, six, go!" "One, two, three, four, five, six, go!" "They're surrounding the shed!" "Are there many of them?" "I don't know." "It seems so." "Get the rifles." "There, in the clock." "Ten men behind the house!" "Ten behind the tree!" "Twenty at the wall!" "Let go of me!" "Mariella, what will you do?" "You're crazy!" "I can't leave him alone now!" "If we could only inform his men!" "They're not far away." "They must be at the river by now." "If we could only..." "How would we inform them?" "Mariella!" "Let go of me!" "I want to be with him!" "Mariella, wait!" "Mariella!" "Mariella!" "Mariella!" "Mariella!" "Mariella!" "Franco!" "Franco!" "Mariella!" "You coward!" "Shooting at a woman!" "Franco!" "Franco!" "What's going on?" "A girl has gone into the shed." "We caught this one in time." "What tough guys you are!" "20 soldiers against one girl!" "Take her inside the convent!" "Let the sisters take care of her!" "No!" "Don't worry about her!" "Return to your positions!" "Four men on horseback." "We need to get that girl!" "Marquise, how was your trip?" "Terrible." "And now they've stopped me here because of some military operation." "Military operation?" "What's going on?" "Will we have to wait for long?" " We don't know anything." " They don't know anything." " Unheard of." " Deplorable." "Marquise, given that we have to wait here together  may I please sit next to you?" " I can't say no, it's your carriage." " Thank you." "Excuse me, Marquise..." "Did you see that horse?" "Cowards, show yourselves!" "Quick, give me another rifle." "They're coming through the other side!" ""Holy Mother, Mother of God, pray for us, we who have sinned..."" ""... in the hour of our death, amen."" "It's useless to resist." "I must be crazy, there are too many of them." "I should give myself up." "No!" "No!" "They'll kill you!" "If they want to take me, they have to come in here." "It won't be easy." "Give me those rifles." "But they're empty." "It doesn't matter, they're just for show." "I'll put them in this window, they'll think that there are more of us." "Quick, we have to call reinforcements!" "Reinforcements?" "Are 100 men against 1 not enough?" "I appreciate your prudence, Captain, but fear that you may be exaggerating." " It's not just one man." "There are many." " Many?" "Yes, Excellency." "We can't tell how many, but obviously a group  of rebels has barricaded themselves in the shed." "We need another strategy  to avoid excessive bloodshed." "Yes, well done!" "Little bloodshed!" "Little bloodshed, above all." "Yes, Excellency." "Further down!" "Further down, there's a ford!" "Try and save some of your ammunition." "I saw them retreating!" "In the Santa Rossana boarding school, next to the Tre Madonne crossroads." "They'll take him as prisoner, he's wounded and can't defend himself." "We have to save him!" "The Bourbons have surrounded the shed!" "How many are there?" "I don't know." "More than 100, I think." "Good. 20 Garibaldians should be more than enough." "Where's this convent?" "Come with me, I'll take you!" "But hurry, there's no time to lose!" "Sound the horn." "Good girl, you have courage." "I'm not a girl, I'm one of yours." "Good gracious!" "Come on, men!" "What's your name?" "Caterinetta Belleli." "You?" "Nino Bixio." "How old are you?" "16." "Courageous and strong!" "Are you related to that officer?" "No, I only just met him." "Why are you crying?" "I'm not crying!" "It's your onion." "Damn them!" "Damn them!" "Excellency, the enemy should soon be in our hands." " Well done!" " Well done!" "I'm very pleased with the courage and resolve you have used  in directing this most difficult operation." "Well done!" " Thank you, Excellency!" " Well done, well done!" " Excellency, I'm speechless." " The pleasure is mine." "The final blow!" "Why don't you shoot at that  renegade who spied for you!" "Come on, boys!" "Let's sing!" ""Brothers of Italy, Italy has awoken, with Scipio's helmet..."" ""... binding her head." "Where is Victory?" "Let her bow down..."" ""For God has made her Rome's slave."" "Lieutenant Franco Amidei!" "At your service, Captain!" "Quickly!" "Load him onto one of the horses and get back to camp." "Well done!" "I congratulate you for the courage and resolve  used in directing this most difficult operation." "Well done!" " Thank you!" " Very well done!" "Sound the horn!" "Goodbye, Caterinetta." "Goodbye." "Goodbye, Tiepolo." "Goodbye..." "Goodbye!" "Goodbye, Franco!" "Goodbye, Mariella!" "Franco, will I see you soon?" "Yes, very soon!" "And we'll never be apart again!" "See you soon!" "See you soon!" "We never saw him again." "Come." "Look: his uniform, hat, sabre, and there's still a tear." "There on the chest, a little puncture, right where his heart was." "But Mariella has spent all her life faithful to his memory." "Ma'am, the Marchesina is here." "Caterinetta!" "What a wonderful surprise!" "Are these your granddaughters?" "Yes, you mentioned that you wanted to meet them, darling." "I'm so happy to see you!" "Please excuse me for making you wait." "I didn't know that..." "You must be very bored..." "No!" "I told them a story." "A beautiful story of love." "Marquis, Miss Gertrude wishes to see you." "Gertrude is here?" "Yes, she's staying with her relatives." "Every day she comes here to torment  me with her gossip." "Show her in!" "Grandma, is it the same Gertrude from the school?" "Yes, the very same." "Listen, Mariella..." "Caterinetta, you're here too?" "How wonderful!" "And who are these pretty girls?" "My granddaughters." "Darlings!" "Such angels!" "By the way, I know something juicy." "A secret!" "Want to hear it?" "No!" "Well, I'll tell you anyway." "The pharmacist's cousin, who ran off  and married a doctor from Tortona, I saw her at Mr. Bagnelli's house  last Tuesday, in the company of some young blond with a beard  who looked a lot like a relative of the sister-in-law  of the tax collector." "But that would mean..." ""Franco, will I see you soon?"" "Yes, very soon!" "And we'll never be apart again!"