I cannot stay long, for I must go home to luncheon, and I have not talked with Bianca at all yet." "Yes--I know--and I must be going too," he said nervously.

"But if you knew what it is to me to sit here beside you for a few minutes--" He stopped suddenly, and the colour rushed to his face.
"In what way ?" asked Veronica, with an impatient, womanly impulse to make him speak and have done with it, in order that there might be no more misunderstanding.
"Because--because I love you, Donna Veronica!" He turned quite white as he found words at last.

"I must say it this once, even if you never forgive me.

This is the first happy moment I have had since I saw you the last time.

I love you--let me tell you so before I die, and I shall die happy if you will forgive me, for I have dreamed of saying it, and longed to say it, so often.