The Charterhouse of Parma

Having narrowly escaped the singer’s lover, Fabrizio remains wanted for the murder of Giletti. The Marchesa Raversi and Chief Justice Rassi collaborate to sentence him to prison. Upon hearing this news, Gina intends to depart for Florence after first visiting the Prince. She subverts the usual protocols in her audience with the Prince, who is at once charmed and provoked by her impertinence. The Prince declines to intervene in Fabrizio’s sentencing owing to his trust in his judges, whom Gina derides as “infamous assassins” (290). Despite her allusions to his severe rule, the Prince is determined to make Gina his mistress. Mosca enters the meeting to learn of Gina’s departure and is wounded by her vocal disdain for the State of Parma, of which he is so central a part. When the Prince implores Gina to remain as the jewel of Parma society, she requests that he promise not to sign Fabrizio’s sentence. The Prince agrees, and Mosca writes a promissory note but omits a phrase suggested by Gina—namely, that “this unjust procedure will have no future consequence” (294).

Gina reflects on the five years she has spent with Mosca, admiring his sincerity but regretting his “courtier’s soul” (293).