I heard you daily extol the praises of my Portrait: I was an eyewitness of the transports, which its beauty excited in you: Yet I forbore to use against your virtue those arms, with which yourself had furnished me.
I concealed those features from your sight, which you loved unconsciously.

I strove not to excite desire by displaying my charms, or to make myself Mistress of your heart through the medium of your senses.

To attract your notice by studiously attending to religious duties, to endear myself to you by convincing you that my mind was virtuous and my attachment sincere, such was my only aim.

I succeeded; I became your companion and your Friend.

I concealed my sex from your knowledge; and had you not pressed me to reveal my secret, had I not been tormented by the fear of a discovery, never had you known me for any other than Rosario.