Che fai?..nulla

English Libretto or Translation:

ALFREDO
comes in
What are you doing?

VIOLETTA
hiding the letter
Nothing.

ALFREDO
You were writing?

VIOLETTA
confused
Yes ... no ...

ALFREDO
Why are you so confused?
Who were you writing to?

VIOLETTA
To you.

ALFREDO
Give me the letter.

VIOLETTA
No, later.

ALFREDO
I'm sorry, there's something worrying me.

VIOLETTA
getting up
What is it?

ALFREDO
My father's arrived ...

VIOLETTA
Have you seen him?

ALFREDO
No,
But he left me an angry letter.
I shall wait for him.
He'll love you when he sees you.

VIOLETTA
in great agitation
Don't let him find me here ...
Let me go ...
You can calm him down ...
near to tears
I'll throw myself at his feet,
He won't want to part us any more.
We shall be happy,
Because you love me, Alfredo,
Don't you?

ALFREDO
So very much, but why are you crying?

VIOLETTA
I felt like crying
But I'm better now.
controlling herself
You see ... I'm smiling ... you see?
I'm all right now ...
I'm smiling.
I shall be there amongst the flowers,
Always near to you.
Love me, Alfredo,
Love me as I love you! Farewell!

She runs out into the garden.

ALFREDO
Her love for me
Is her whole life!
He sits down and picks up a book, reads for a mo ment, then gets up and looks at the clock above the fireplace.
It's late, perhaps my father
Won't come back today.

GIUSEPPE
entering hurriedly
Madame has gone,
There was a carriage waiting,
It's on its way to Paris now.
Annina went on ahead.

ALFREDO
I know, don't agitate yourself.

GIUSEPPE
to himself
What does it mean?

He goes out.

ALFREDO
I expect she's gone to hurry up the sale
Of her things,
But Annina will stop her.
His father is seen in the distance, crossing the garden.
There's someone in the garden?
Who is it?

He turns to go out.

MESSENGER
at the door
Monsieur Germont?

ALFREDO
Yes.

MESSENGER
A lady in a carriage,
A little way from here,
Gave me this note for you.

He gives Alfredo a letter, receives a tip and goes out.

ALFREDO
From Violetta! Why am I so disturbed?
Perhaps she suggests my joining her?
I'm afraid! Oh, heaven! Give me courage!
He opens the letter and reads.
“Alfredo, when you get this note …”
He cries out.
Ah!
He finds himself in his father's arms.
My father!

GERMONT
My son!
I know how much you suffer!
But don't give way to tears,
Rather become your father's
Pride and joy again.

Alfredo, in despair, sits down near the table with his face in his hands.