a husband, not even in the midst of your family; in fact, I would fain see you and live with you forever.  Let me tell you, lovely Henriette, that if it is possible for a Frenchman to forget, an Italian cannot do it, at least if I judge from my own feelings.  I have made up my mind, you must be good enough to decide now, and to tell me whether I am to accompany you or to remain here.  Answer yes or no; if I remain here it is all over.  I shall leave for Naples to-morrow, and I know I shall be cured in time of the mad passion I feel for you, but if you tell me that I can accompany you to Parma, you must promise me that your heart will forever belong to me alone.  I must be the only one to possess you, but I am ready to accept as a condition, if you like, that you shall not crown my happiness until you have judged me worthy of it by my attentions and by my loving care.  Now, be kind enough to decide before the return of the too happy captain.  He knows all, for I have told him what I feel.”

“And what did he answer?”

“That he would be happy to see you under my protection.  But what is the meaning of that smile playing on your lips?”

“Pray, allow me to laugh, for I have never in my life realized the idea of a furious declaration of love.  Do you understand what it is to say to a woman in a declaration which ought to be passionate, but at the same time tender and gentle, the following terrible words: 

“’Madam, make your choice, either one or the other, and decide instanter!’ Ha! ha! ha!”

“Yes, I understand perfectly.  It is neither gentle, nor gallant, nor pathetic, but it is passionate.  Remember that this is a serious matter, and that I have never yet found myself so much pressed by time.  Can you, on your side, realize the painful position of a man, who, being deeply in love, finds himself compelled to take a decision which may perhaps decide issues of life and death?  Be good enough to remark that, in spite of the passion raging in me, I do not fail in the respect I owe you; that the resolution I intend to take, if you should persist in your original decision, is not a threat, but an effort worthy of a hero, which ought to call for your esteem.  I beg of you to consider that we cannot afford to lose time.  The word choose must not sound harshly in your ears, since it leaves my fate as well as yours entirely in your hands.  To feel certain of my love, do you want to see me kneeling before you like a simpleton, crying and entreating you to take pity on me?  No, madam, that would certainly displease you, and it would not help me.  I am conscious of being worthy of your love, I therefore ask for that feeling and not for pity.  Leave me, if I displease you, but let me go away; for if you are humane enough to wish that I should forget you, allow me to go far away from you so as to make my sorrow less immense.  Should I follow you to Parma, I would not answer for myself, for I might give way to my despair.  Consider everything well, I beseech you; you would indeed be guilty of great cruelty, were you to answer now:  ’Come to Parma, although I must beg of you not to see me in that city.’  Confess that you cannot, in all fairness, give me such an answer; am I not right?”