knew how chilled, how constrained I have felt by the forms and the crowds by which we have been surrounded—how I have pined for a moment to tell you how dearly during absence I have cherished your image—how beautiful you seemed when I saw you again!—how beautiful you are, even in this strange and unfamiliar dress," added he, following the direction of her eyes towards the fountain.
She allowed him to retain the hand which he had taken—it was but for an instant. The momentary softening of her heart was gone, and she felt as if she could reason him out of love, even as she had reasoned herself. She was strong in what would be the universal opinion; it would be an act of insanity to allow a girlish preference to interfere with her present brilliant hopes—it would be folly, nay, presumption, on his part, to talk more of love; still, she would act kindly by him—she would impress upon him the impossibility of constancy, and make the necessity of change obvious to his own conviction.
At first her words were hurried and confused; and the young Italian, though startled from his fond security, might still ask, had he, could he, have heard aright? But as Marie spoke, her voice grew firm, her anticipations gave strength to
