The Fortnightly Review: No. CCCCLXIII, New Series [‎660v] (211/239)

180
NOSTALGIA.
the women to work. Habituate them to the idea of work, of earning
their living, of independence. When I go abroad, especially when I
go to England, I am immensely struck by the ‘ moral physiognomy r
of the women—so different from our women at home—from you ”
“ But I do work! ” protested Arduina.
“ Your work is not sufficiently profitable if you require subscrip
tions! ” cried Regina.
“ Oh, brava! braval And you, I suppose, write too? ”
““Oh, no! I don’t do anything! ”
The Senator looked at her with his mocking and melancholy blue
eyes; and she blushed, remembering she had never worked in her
life.
I want subscriptions, said Arduina, ‘‘ because in Italy work is
not yet remunerative. But in the future—the generations we shall
educate ” &c., &c., &c.
She made a long speech about the future generations, and returned
to her starting point: the urgent need for a subscription.
Bless the girl! She shall have the subscription! ” said the
Senator, who was still looking at Regina.
“ And the audience also? ”
He promised the audience. At that moment he was smiling just
as he smiled in the portrait and in the mirror; and Regina perceived
that he pitied the poor Italian journalist and was thinking of the
moral physiognomy of the working Englishwomen.
But why the audience? ” asked Regina, emboldened and
imitating the Senator’s smile; “subscriptions are all very well—up
to a certain point—but the audience ’’
It s a moral support. With reference to my principles ’’
“Yes, yes; a moral support,’’ interrupted the Senator, still
smiling.
Regina felt rebellious. This man who found the moral physiognomy
of the women abroad so different from the moral physiognomy of the
incapable, enslaved Italians—why did he not make Arduina under
stand the errors of her method?
“But,’’ she cried, almost angrily, “if you can’t do without
assistance moral or material, it’s better—to do nothing at all! We
are always despoilers; and it’s all one if we despoil fathers, husbands,
lovers, or royalty and the Government! ’’
My dear, you don t understand! ’’ said Arduina, who had not
taken in Regina’s meaning; “you talk like that because you’ve
never felt the need ”
“You are from Lombardy?’’ asked the Senator, who with his
hands folded on his breast, amused himself twiddling his thumbs.
I m an incapable and useless Italian,’’ she replied, very con
temptuous of herself.
“ But you are young. Why don’t you write? ’’
^ f! at 8 ,^ le use wr ifr n g> ” she asked, meeting his eye mock-
in g‘y» if it s only to ask for subscriptions and audiences? ’’