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!" "I can't help it, Ludovico; I am, at all events speaking with my whole heart!" she said in a tone of profound sadness.

"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.

"Nobody, I think, ever hated me yet," she continued; "and it seems to me so horrible to be hated.