human
You surprise me, Paolina! he said.
gpt
Would it have been better if I had concealed all this from you? Many men,--most men perhaps, in similar circumstances would have done so. But I cannot treat you in that way. I have been, and would always be open and sincere to you in all things. You know all about this match. You know that it is a family arrangement managed by my uncle. You know, that if I wished it ever so much, I can't avoid it. You know, or ought to know, that it is not, and cannot be a matter of affection in any way. You know that in the world such marriages are arranged and are known and understood to be arranged, for reasons, and on ground with which love has nothing to do. Does not all Ravenna know, including the lady herself doubtless, that I am to marry her because she is the great-niece of the Cardinal Legate? Can I be expected to love her, because she is the Cardinal's niece? Surely, my Paolina, you are not speaking or thinking of this matter, with your usual good sense!
human
I can't help it, Ludovico; I am, at all events speaking with my whole heart! she said in a tone of profound sadness.
gpt
If what you say is true,--and do not imagine, dearest, that I have the smallest doubt that all you say to me is entirely and perfectly true,--just think of the lot of that povera Contessa Violante! Poverina! I dare say she,--think of the wrong I should be doing her! Think how she would hate me! She shuddered as she spoke.
human
Nobody, I think, ever hated me yet, she continued;
gpt
she cried, bursting into passionate tears.
human
No, never mine! The very word itself, which comes so naturally to my lips, tells me, like a knell in my heart, that it can never be!
gpt
But, Paolina, angiola mia, said Ludovico, who had heard her with a look of consternation,
human
Not all of a sudden, Ludovico! The blessed Virgin knows for how many sad and solitary hours I have been thinking, and thinking, and thinking of all this! She knows how many nights I have passed in tears to think of it. What has put it into my head, you say? Ludovico, it is my love for you that has put it into my head! It is my strong love that has opened my eyes, and made me see that I cannot--cannot--I mean--that I cannot share your love with another!
gpt
Oh my Paolina, what words are these?
human
It is true, Ludovico! It is my true love that has opened my eyes. I fear that I have done very wrong; and the blessed Saints know that I shall have my punishment! I have done wrong in loving you, and letting you love me! But I did not know it, I did not think, I did not see where I was going! I ought to have known that love was not for a poor girl like me! I ought to have known that evil and misery would come. But till I loved you with my whole, whole heart, Ludovico; and till I found out that I did, I did not know that--that it would be so,--that I should feel as I feel now.