And the man who hopes, or flatters himself, or suffers himself to be persuaded that such a love has been given to him upon any other terms, is--he may rely upon it with the certainty due to an eternal law of nature--deceived.

The quality of the love which may have so been given to him is of a different kind.
After awhile Ludovico came again and stopped directly in front of the chair in which Paolina was sitting; but he remained standing, and placing his two hands, one on either of her shoulders, and looking down into her face with moist eyes, he said,--"My love, my true and best--my only love! I cannot lose you, Paolina; I cannot give you up.
Truly--truly I had rather that any other thing--any other evil that could happen, should happen to me.

We are, and we must be, all in all to each other, my Paolina, now and ever.

There is no alternative possibility to this.

Love has opened my eyes, too, my darling angel! Your love has opened my eyes; I will know no other love,--no other woman--call none other wife but you! Paolina, you will be mine ?--my all?
my only one ?" "Ludovico!" she exclaimed, looking up at him with an ecstasy of joy, and yet with a great terror upon her face; "but what will happen--what will happen to you?
What will be done to me ?" "We must see, my heart's treasure! We must have patience; you must trust to me.