"You were kind to let me speak--I kiss your hands--for your kindness--I thank you--" His voice broke altogether.

Veronica heard a smothered sob, and glancing at him nervously, saw the tears trickling down between his fingers.

She looked up quickly to see whether Bianca had noticed anything, but the sweet, deep voice was singing softly to the subdued chords of the piano, and Veronica sat quite still, waiting for Gianluca to recover his self-control.
She felt that she pitied him, but at the same time considered him in some way an inferior being; and as the idea of marrying him crossed her mind again, her heart started in repugnance at the mere thought..