They were no longer two people but one.
It was only with an effort that a little later the Marchese said,
“Now I have to talk to you, my precious!”
As he spoke, he drew her towards the sofa that was on one side of the fireplace.
He sat down and put his arms round her. For a moment he just looked at her before he said,
“How is it possible for you to be so beautiful and so clever and so brave? There are no words to express my admiration for your courage.”
Paola blushed.
“You are – making me feel – shy,” she whispered.
“I adore you when you are shy,” the Marchese said, “and that too makes you different from any other woman.”
He bent his head for a moment as if he would kiss her again.
Then, almost as if he pulled himself to attention, he said,
“Now, what we have to decide and this
