COMING AND GOING FROM THE HEART
The dance was still going on, but Kurt was no longer in the mood or intention to continue enjoying the party, that's when suddenly, Jeff surprises him by placing both hands on his shoulders. "Are you Count Kurt?" asked Kurt, shaking his melancholy. "Yes, that's him." Kurt replied with a sigh.
And more and more excited, Jeff asks his friend "Will you come with me?", Which, with a frown Kurt replies "Exactly where?"
So, already snorting impatiently with such hesitation on Kurt's part, Jeff says with his hands on his hips "Until the next willow, it's in your own interest, Count. How do you want to end your freedom? A ring around your finger, or a ring attached to your feet? One way or the other, you will have to use it, that the prince has already conquered your Blaine. "
"I wish you were happy with him." Kurt replied coldly, without turning to where Jeff was already at a distance, causing his friend to be surprised. "What's that? It seems that I had doubts about what would happen. But did you really expect the prince to treat you that way? " Jeff continued without understanding his friend's mood.
Already irritated, Kurt gets up, and with a little raised voice and taken by a certain poison in the tone, says to Jeff "Leave me alone, please." Who ironically replies "Oh! You are doing it like the blind: the boy stole your food and you hit the pole with a stick. " Being abruptly interrupted by Kurt, who says, "Since you're not going out, I'm going out." Passing directly by the friend towards the house, leaving Jeff with his mouth open, wondering what had really happened.
"You will understand the minds of those who let their hearts be taken by foolishness. It's a shame ... "Jeff starts to confabulate himself" But it's really a shame that Mr. Nick knows me so well and at the same time so badly! " and gives a snort of disgust gesturing with his hands "The prince's jester!" and continues talking to himself, walking around, as if in a heated conversation trying to put his thoughts in order "Ah! It is possible that I acquired this title because I am a cheerful genius. No, no! I'm being unfair to myself. "
Suddenly stopping, with an air of doubt and his hands on his hips, Jeff wonders, "Am I really going to have that concept?" and as promptly answering his own question, Jeff continues in a disgruntled tone of voice "It can't be! It is Nick's malicious disposition that leads him to speak as a spokesman for the world and to introduce myself in that regard. Just for that, I will take revenge as I can. I refuse to be the "Bobo do PrÃncipe"! "
And as if it were a kind of calling, as soon as Jeff speaks the word "Prince", Don David approaches the boy asking about Kurt "Dear friend, do you know where the count is? Did you see Kurt by any chance? "
"Actually, my lord, I just had a little conversation with him. He was so melancholy alone under the stars. I told him, and I think I was telling him the truth, that Your Highness had captured the young boy's good graces and I offered to accompany him to the nearby willow tree and then lecture him for being abandoned, or else to cut a bundle of sticks, for deserving a light whip." replied Jeff, in his usual talkative way.
"And why would don Kurt deserve light floggings?" asked Don David with a certain malice in his voice, believing the playfulness of Jeff's words, who promptly replied "The childlike innocence that, overflowing with joy at having found a nest, shows it to his comrade who ends up staying with him." As if it were the most obvious thing to be explained.
Shaking his head in disapproval at his friend's words, Don David says calmly, "Do you intend to make trust a transgression? It would be a mistake that could be reprimanded if there had been a theft of some kind ".
Jeff, still insisting on his view of the facts, continues "Still, the sticks and the sermon would not have been totally lost; the sermon could serve for himself, who would present you with sticks, for stealing his little bird from him. "
"There was no robbery, my friend! I just wanted to teach the bird to sing, and then give it to the real owner. That's why I'm looking for Kurt, "replied Don David, with all the patience he could muster in his voice.
Stopping as he comes and goes, Jeff turns to the prince and says, "If the song of that bird is in line with what you say, by my faith, you speak honestly." And with an exaggerated wave, he puts his hand on his own chest and makes a courtesy to the prince.
Changing the subject a little, Don David, with naughty features, says to the talkative friend "The young Mr. Nick has an account to settle with you ... From what I heard, the masked man with whom he danced at the ball, said that you spoke very badly of him."
Jeff in turn, surprised by the comment, replied "Oh! I endured abuse on his part, with the patience of an insensitive stone. An oak with a single green leaf would have answered it. " And with a sigh of disgust he continued, "Yes... my own mask seemed to perk up to give it the deserved reprimand. Without knowing that he was talking to me, he told me that I was the prince's buffoon and the most boring, thus throwing me a series of sarcasms with such skill that I seemed attached to a pole, serving as a target for an army. " And Jeff kept talking, and talking over and over, "His speech is just daggers ... every word produces a wound. If his breath were as terrible as the expressions he uses, no one would be left alive in his vicinity. ... it would devastate everything! Everything from here to the north pole would be wiped out. " Jeff was agitated, he kept talking and gesturing irritated by the situation.
However, as if in a small betrayal of his mind, in the midst of his daydreams, Jeff declares "I would not marry him, even though as a dowry he would take everything that Adam had before sin. Come on, don't talk to me about that person anymore, where we can recognize the hellish figure in graceful robes. I would have pleaded with God that some wise man would exorcise him, for as long as he is in this world, it is certain to be able to live in hell with such tranquility, and this is so true, that discord, dread and restlessness follow him everywhere. "
During the finalization of Jeff's speech, Don David perceives the approach of his friend, Mr. Leonard, with his son Blaine, his nephew Nick and young Kurt and announces excitedly, waving to those arriving, "Look who's approaching."
Jeff, overcome with a feeling of despair, pleads with the prince "Will not Your Grace want to send me to the end of the world on some errand? For the most insignificant pretext, I am willing to go to the ends of the world! " and giving a disguised glance to those who came, more precisely, to Nick, Jeff continues to plead. Speaking a little lower to be heard only by Don David "I am able to bring you a toothpick from the farthest corner of Asia, or the size of the Great Wall of China in my thumbs, or a thread of the beard of the dog that guards the gates from hell, or go, as an ambassador, to the pygmies, as long as you don't exchange three words with that harpy. Do you have no assignment for me? " with hands joined as if in prayer, Jeff ends his speech.
Don David, in turn, smiling at his friend, replies with determination "No, my dear Jeff. I want nothing from you but good company. " And he emphasizes his answer, with a light slap on the boy's shoulder. "Oh gosh! Oh gosh! A company I don't like: I can't stand Mr. Fierce Language! " Jeff cries out in exasperation, and like lightning, he leaves the yard in long, fast steps.
"As you see, young man, you have lost Mr. Jeff's heart." Don David said to Nick in a playful tone, which he received in reply, with a wistful smile "It is true, my lord; he had loaned it to me for some time and I returned it with interest: a double heart, instead of the simple one I had received. But before that, he had already won me over with false data. Your Grace is right to say that I lost it. " And Nick, it ends with a sigh of defeat.
Don David, on the other hand, noting Nick's melancholy, affirms the boy gently "You took him to the ground, Nick, you took him to the ground!" and nodding his head, Nick points to the two young men who followed him and says, "Here I bring you Count Kurt, who had sent for me."
Looking at the crestfallen boy behind Nick, Don David says, "How have you been, Count Kurt? Why are you so sad? " causing Kurt to lift his head slightly, without looking directly into the prince's eyes and replying as in a rehearsed speech "I am not sad, my lord." "So are you sick, Count Kurt?", With a sigh Kurt replies "Not either, my lord."
Nick, not being able to stand still when he saw the two of them exchanging meaningless conversation, interjected, "The count is neither sad, nor sick, nor happy, nor healthy. Count Kurt is simply a polished count, as polished as jealous is Eve's serpent in Paradise ... just like that. "
Giving the young man right, Don David says, "In fact, Mr. Nick, I think your interpretation is true, but I can say that his suspicion has no basis in truth." And then, taking young Blaine by the hand and addressing Kurt as he speaks, Don David says seriously, "See, Kurt, I made the court in your name and got young Blaine's hand. I spoke to his father, who gave his consent. We just need to mark the wedding day, and may God make you both happy. "
Mr. Leonard, who followed the whole scene from a distance, silently, took his cue and said to the boy "Count Kurt, I received my son and, together with him, my fortune. His Grace, the prince promoted this union, and the divine Grace says Amen. "
Nick, realizing Kurt's surprise, gives a little push to the boy who was frozen, without reaction in the midst of so many revelations "" It's your cue, Count Kurt! Say something. React in a young way! "
It was then that Kurt, with emotion in his voice and the sweet look turned to young Blaine, responded, almost as if in a prayer "Silence is the most eloquent herald of joy. Small would be my happiness, if I could say how big it is. Mr Blaine, I am yours, as you are mine; in exchange for you, I give myself, exulting with the bargain. " And then, Kurt takes both Blaine's hands with great reverence and affection.
Once again, Nick could not stand the strange silence that was taking place between the two lovers, with a smile and a nudge on his cousin's shoulder, he says slyly, "Cousin, say something too; if you can't, cover the poor boy's mouth with a kiss, not allowing him to continue talking. "
Under the sound of laughter from everyone present, Don David tells Nick fondly, "Indeed, my young Nick, you have a happy heart." Thanking the comment, Nick replied meekly, "It is true, my lord, and I am very grateful to the poor thing, for knowing that he always keeps himself protected from the wind of worries."
And looking at the couple of lovers who had gone away for a while to talk more privately, Nick continues with a sweet voice. "Notice: My cousin is saying in the earl's ear that he is in his heart." Which, Kurt in turn says to the group "That's what he said, cousin."
Nick then, showing contentment with what was happening, says "Oh good God, another wedding!" and continues in a tone that mixes irony and sadness in equal parts "This is how it ends up happening with everyone, except me, for being clumsy. I will be forced to stay in my corner and cry loneliness! "
"Lord Nick, I'm going to get you a husband." Don David affirms to the melancholy young man, who in turn, answers in a certain way "It would be good if it were some of your father's reserve. Does Your Grace have no brother who resembles you? Your father has generated excellent husbands for the lucky ones whom they touch by luck. " I smiled slightly, Nick.
Don David, taken by surprise at Nick's words, says with a certain doubt in his voice "Do you want me for a husband, my lord?" "No, my lord. Don't get me wrong, I would only do it if I only had another one for the days of service. Your Grace is too precious for daily use. Your Grace will forgive me, but it seems that I was born only to say nonsense. Pardon!"
"There is nothing to forgive, young man. Your silence would displease me much more than your daydreams. That joy says it best with your whole; you were certainly born in a happy hour. " Don David said sincerely to Nick, taking his hand with polite attention. "Not quite, my lord. My mother cried at my birth and my father was too nervous. "
Suddenly, interrupting the nephew's self-deprecating ramble, Mr. Leonard speaks with finality "Nephew, won't you take care of what we have agreed?" what made Nick turn to his uncle and saying goodbye to Don David "Sorry uncle. Excuse me Your Grace, I need to leave! " and Nick goes inside Dalton in search of his chores.
"Really, Nick is a boy of playful genius" commented Don David, as soon as Nick left the group. "It is true, my lord. When in your company, there is not much time for melancholy. He is only sad when he sleeps, and still not always, because my son told me that he happened to have dreamed of sad things and woke up laughing out loud. " Don Leonard replied to the prince, continuing the conversation about Nick. "In marriage, he doesn't want to hear about it, it seems to me." Said the prince, trying to stay in the conversation. "No way, my lord!" replied Don Leonard about his nephew, and with a negative nod, continued, "Mocks all suitors."
With a laugh, Don David says something that takes everyone by surprise "It's good to marry young Jeff!", But that arouses a certain curiosity in everyone who was still there.
"What do you say, my lord? After a week, the two would be driving the other crazy ! " said don Leonard, incredulous at the idea of the prince.
Don David, turning to the couple in love who was close, asked the young friend "Count Kurt, when are you thinking of scheduling the wedding?" "Tomorrow, my lord." The young man answered decisively. "Time will walk on crutches until love has completed its rites." Kurt completed, staring into Blaine's eyes, who already had his face flushed with the anticipation of events and Kurt's withering and passionate look.
"Calm down my boy! No my son. It cannot be before next Monday, within seven fair days, which, incidentally, is still a very short period for the realization of all my projects. " Don Leonard said cautiously.
Don David, on the other hand, realizing that Kurt was showing himself somewhat disgusted, spoke with a decisive air "Come on, my boy! I see you shake your head at the news of such a great postponement. But I can assure you, Kurt, that we will not be bored during this week, because in the meantime I intend to put one shoulder to one of Hercules' jobs, which will consist of leaving Mr. Jeff and Mr. Nick under a mountain of love. My wish is to see you married, without any doubts that I will succeed if the three of you follow my instructions. " And with a conspiratorial smile on his face, the prince waited for his friends to respond.
With a smile on his face, Don Leonard replied to the prince "I am at your service, my lord, although it seems worthy of sleepless nights." "I agree, too, my lord." Kurt said firmly.
And turning to young Blaine, who was watching everything with a wide smile on his face, Don David asked "And you too, kind Blaine? Will it help in this feat? " being promptly replied "In my modesty, I will do my best to help my beloved cousin to find a great love and good husband."
"I can say that Jeff is not one of the least coveted parties of my knowledge. In his praise I can go so far as to say that he is of noble birth, proven value and honesty, despite the machine gun of words he is. " Don David spoke with a laugh, and continued, already putting into practice the plan he was creating in his mind "I will tell you how you should treat your cousin, so that he will fall in love with Jeff!" he said looking into Blaine's hopeful eyes, then turning to Kurt continued, "On the other hand, we will handle Jeff in such a way that, despite his lively spirit and natural disgust, he will be equally in love with Nick!"
Finishing the explanation of his romantic plan, he put his hands together and said firmly, "If we can do this, Cupid will stop being an archer! Your glory will be ours, only, because we will become the only deities of love! "
