Sketch of Savello, [February? 1864?]
Title
Sketch of Savello, [February? 1864?]
Title
Sketch of Savello, [February? 1864?]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
U
Date(s)
- 1864-02
Place
London
Letter Content
Sketch of Savello, [February? 1864?]
MS: Mrs. Carrington Ouvry. Hitherto unpublished.
Savello 230
Act I. Cathedral Place.
Various groups issue from the church and from their talk it appears that Savello has returned and is inside with ribald companions ogling the women. Middle-aged plain ones comically reserved; took care not to lift their veils, lest he should see them. Enter Giustiniano and Cassandra. They are warned of Savello's presence. But G. has confidence in God. C. laughs at the idea. Savello has already seen her before marriage and found her too insignificant for notice. They enter. Presently after Savello and companions come out. He is smitten with Cassandra; they try to dissuade him, husband will stand no nonsense; old peasant reproaches Savello with carrying off his daughter. He treats it lightly. She was very willing to be carried, and at any rate didn't he send her back? Ruined? No -- enriched. Giustiniano and Cassandra come out of the Church. He gazes sternly at Savello; she droops her eyes on the ground. As they go off, Savello beckons to his servant to follow them.
Act II. Cassandra's room.
Savello making discreet love to Cassandra. She takes the occasion to paint a picture of what his life might be and what it is -- the misery he recklessly causes -- the waste of his own life -- he who is so noble, young, with great capacities. He is moved and in a transport kisses her hand, says she has saved his soul as well as given a meaning to his life, and departs resolved to act up to what she says. Then enters a female friend who blandly insinuates that people begin to gossip about her and Savello; she smiles and receives it with such calmness that her friend concludes it is a settled love affair. When she is left alone servant brings a passionate letter from Savello avowing his love; must see her once alone to have his resolution of reform strengthened; his friend has lured her husband to go to Pisa on some advantageous errand; may he not see her alone at night? She writes a reply. Giustiniano comes in out of humour, jealous, yet not liking to lose the gain at Pisa. She tells him not to go. Tells him all. If he murders Savello it will not shield her honor. What is to be done? She tells him she wrote to Savello that if he could come she would place a lamp in the window. G. quickly places lamp and curtain falls.
Act III.
Savello's corpse. C. sobbing over body brings lamp and lights up the noble face. Her grief and pity rouse his jealousy. She covers the body and awaits the friends who burst in and take her off to prison.
MS: Mrs. Carrington Ouvry. Hitherto unpublished.
Savello 230
Act I. Cathedral Place.
Various groups issue from the church and from their talk it appears that Savello has returned and is inside with ribald companions ogling the women. Middle-aged plain ones comically reserved; took care not to lift their veils, lest he should see them. Enter Giustiniano and Cassandra. They are warned of Savello's presence. But G. has confidence in God. C. laughs at the idea. Savello has already seen her before marriage and found her too insignificant for notice. They enter. Presently after Savello and companions come out. He is smitten with Cassandra; they try to dissuade him, husband will stand no nonsense; old peasant reproaches Savello with carrying off his daughter. He treats it lightly. She was very willing to be carried, and at any rate didn't he send her back? Ruined? No -- enriched. Giustiniano and Cassandra come out of the Church. He gazes sternly at Savello; she droops her eyes on the ground. As they go off, Savello beckons to his servant to follow them.
Act II. Cassandra's room.
Savello making discreet love to Cassandra. She takes the occasion to paint a picture of what his life might be and what it is -- the misery he recklessly causes -- the waste of his own life -- he who is so noble, young, with great capacities. He is moved and in a transport kisses her hand, says she has saved his soul as well as given a meaning to his life, and departs resolved to act up to what she says. Then enters a female friend who blandly insinuates that people begin to gossip about her and Savello; she smiles and receives it with such calmness that her friend concludes it is a settled love affair. When she is left alone servant brings a passionate letter from Savello avowing his love; must see her once alone to have his resolution of reform strengthened; his friend has lured her husband to go to Pisa on some advantageous errand; may he not see her alone at night? She writes a reply. Giustiniano comes in out of humour, jealous, yet not liking to lose the gain at Pisa. She tells him not to go. Tells him all. If he murders Savello it will not shield her honor. What is to be done? She tells him she wrote to Savello that if he could come she would place a lamp in the window. G. quickly places lamp and curtain falls.
Act III.
Savello's corpse. C. sobbing over body brings lamp and lights up the noble face. Her grief and pity rouse his jealousy. She covers the body and awaits the friends who burst in and take her off to prison.
Citation
George Eliot, Sketch of Savello, [February? 1864?], Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/95603