[18]
AI OVERVIEW
THIS TEXT DIFFERS SOMEWHAT FROM THE ORIGINAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN LADY VIOLET AND HER SON ANTHONY, WHERE SHE REFERS TO SIENA AS ”A CERTAIN SOPRANO” BUT RESEMBLES THE VERY ESSENCE OF THE DIALOGUE]
Violet: I had hoped you would look over the ledgers.
Anthony: I have been looking over them for hours, Mother. The estate is in order.
Violet: And what of the family? Your sister is about to make her debut. The eyes of the ’ton’ will be upon her. Upon us all.
Anthony: Daphne is perfection itself. She will have no trouble finding a suitable match.
Violet: And you? When do you plan to take your duties seriously? Or do you plan to spend every evening at the opera?
(Anthony looks away, knowing she has caught him)
Anthony: My private life is my own.
Violet: Not when it affects this family. You are the Viscount now. You are the head of this household. Your father…
Anthony: I am well aware of who my father was. And I am well aware of the burden he left behind.
Violet: It is not a burden, Anthony. It is a legacy. A legacy that you are currently treating with great indifference. If you cannot be the man this family needs, perhaps you should step aside and let your brothers find their own way.
Anthony: I have been looking over them for hours, Mother. The estate is in order.
Violet: And what of the family? Your sister is about to make her debut. The eyes of the ’ton’ will be upon her. Upon us all.
Anthony: Daphne is perfection itself. She will have no trouble finding a suitable match.
Violet: And you? When do you plan to take your duties seriously? Or do you plan to spend every evening at the opera?
(Anthony looks away, knowing she has caught him)
Anthony: My private life is my own.
Violet: Not when it affects this family. You are the Viscount now. You are the head of this household. Your father…
Anthony: I am well aware of who my father was. And I am well aware of the burden he left behind.
Violet: It is not a burden, Anthony. It is a legacy. A legacy that you are currently treating with great indifference. If you cannot be the man this family needs, perhaps you should step aside and let your brothers find their own way.
WHAT VIOLET SAID LITERALLY
Violet: “Are you actually returning to your bachelor lodgings in the city, or is there a certain soprano you intend to visit?”
SOURCE
AI CONVERSATION
IN DUTCH