'I think I have been good to you.... After all, it is not such a very grave matter. I have not taken things more seriously than you.'
'I suppose you found me a pretty woman, and thought you could occupy a few spare moments with a pleasant amour. You can hardly have expected me to be influenced by sentiments very different from your own.'
'I love you as much as you love me. I don't suppose either you are Lancelot, or I Guinevere.'
I still knelt at her side in silence, and my head felt as if the vessels in it were bursting....
'You know,' she went on quite calmly, 'one cannot love for ever.'
'But I love you, Giulia; I love you with all my heart and soul! I have had loves picked up for the opportunity's sake, or for pure idleness; but my love for you is different. I swear to you it is a matter of my whole life.'
'But do you mean that it is all finished? Do you mean that you won't have anything more to do with me!'
'I don't say I won't have anything more to do with you.'
'But why not?' I said despairingly. 'Why have you given it me at all if you want to take it away?'
'One is not master of one's love. It comes and goes.'
'Oh, God! But why do you tell me this to-day?'
'But why not yesterday, or the day before? Why to-day particularly?'
'Is it because Giorgio dall' Aste has just returned?'
'What have they been telling you about him?'
'Has he been here to-day? Were you thinking of him when I came? Were you languorous from his embraces?'
'The only lover to whom you have been faithful, more or less!'
'You vowed you did not believe the scandals about me, and now, when I refuse you the smallest thing, you are ready to believe every word. What a love is this! I thought I had heard you talk so often of boundless confidence.'
'I believe every word I have heard against you. I believe you are a harlot.'
She had raised herself from her couch, and we were standing face to face.
'Do you want money? Look! I have as good money as another. I will pay you for your love; here, take it.'
I took gold pieces from my pocket and flung them at her feet.
'Ah,' she cried in indignation, 'you cur! Go, go!'
She pointed to the door. Then I felt a sudden revulsion. I fell on my knees and seized her hands.
'Oh, forgive me, Giulia. I don't know what I am saying; I am mad. But don't rob me of your love; it is the only thing I have to live for. For God's sake, forgive me! Oh, Giulia, I love you, I love you. I can't live without you.' The tears broke from my eyes. I could not stop them.