And more horrible still to know that I should be justly hated! And then, tesoro mio!--Mio!--How could I ever say mio?
Never, never, never, mio!" she cried, bursting into passionate tears.

"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!" "But, Paolina, angiola mia," said Ludovico, who had heard her with a look of consternation, "what has thus changed you?
For it is a change.
You knew all these things before.

What has occurred to put such notions into your mind all of a sudden ?" "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!" The words came forced from her with a great effort, and with a sob that seemed as if it would choke her.
"Oh my Paolina, what words are these ?" said he, his own voice trembling with trouble and emotion.
"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.