human
No, no, no! she cried, violently;
gpt
Bianca, he cried, starting to his feet as if he had been stung;
human
Spare me--spare me, I deserve all; but spare me! I deserve to suffer, but not at your band,
gpt
Spare you what, Bianca? In truth, I do not understand you,
human
Do you not understand? she said, turning round on the sofa, so as to face him, and looking into his face with those great appealing eyes suffused with tears;
gpt
Upon my honour, Bianca, I do not know what you mean. Every word I have spoken to you has been spoken from the very depth of my heart. I am ready to--
human
Hush, hush, Marchese! No more of that; I could not bear it, she said, with a great sigh that seemed as if it would burst her bosom;
gpt
I do understand, Bianca mia; povera anima sofferente--I do understand. Do you imagine that I would judge you harshly--severely? I know too well all that you would say; I know the difficulties, the impossibilities of your position. Do you think that I cannot make allowances for all the fatalities attending on such a combination of circumstances? And, trust me, the difference between what has been, and what I so earnestly hope may be now, is greater,--I feel it to be greater, not less than you can feel it to be. Truly there is nothing in common between the all-devouring passion which consumes me, and--such love-vows as you have spoken of. Do I not understand the difference. And remember, Bianca, dearest, that the protection I offer you would be the means of placing you out of the reach,--far out of the reach of any such disgusts,--such suffering for the future.
human
You are good,--you are,--very good and kind to me; perhaps it might have been better for my happiness if you had been less so. But bear with me yet a little, Signor Marchese. Sit down there,--there where I can see your face, --pointing, as she spoke, to a spot exactly in face of the sofa,--
gpt
--she dropped her eyes and sighed as she made the confession;--
human
she repeated, slowly nodding her head.
gpt
And when I have confessed that it is so, she continued, speaking more rapidly,