I should live on, not because my love is weaker, but because my body is stronger than yours.

God grant that such a lot may never befall me." "It never can befall you, amor mio! but, Ludovico, you could not only live, but you could love--some other woman;" she uttered the words with a little gulp of emotion, and continued: "Do you imagine, that if I lived to a thousand years, I could ever love any other than you ?" "What right have you to say, Paolina, that I should ever, or could ever love another but you ?" said Ludovico, indignantly.
"Nay, Ludovico, must you not do so always?
Are you not professing to do so even now?
Are you not promising your love to the Contessa Violante?
will she not have a better right to your love than I ?" Ludovico started, and drawing himself a little back from Paolina, looked at her with reproachful surprise.

It was not that he was surprised at learning that she was aware of his engagement to the Contessa.

He had, as has been said, concealed nothing from her in that respect.

But he was vexed, and surprised at the feeling she manifested on the subject.
"You surprise me, Paolina!" he said.