Her answer was so far from what he had expected.
"But your uncle---- ?" "What duty do I owe to him?
Oh, I have thought of it, and until--until this morning, it seemed that a convent must be my ultimate refuge.

I have spent most of my young life at Santa Sofia, and the little that I have seen of the world at my uncle's court scarce invites me to see more of it.

The Mother Abbess loved me a little.

She would take me back, unless----" She broke off and looked at him, and before that look of absolute and sweet surrender his senses swam.

That she was niece to the Duke of Urbino he remembered no more than that he was Count of Aquila, well-born, but of none too rich estate, and certainly no more a match for her in Guidobaldo's eyes than if he had been the simple knight-errant that he seemed.
He moved closer to her, his hands--as if obeying a bidding greater than his will, the bidding of that glance of hers, perhaps--took her by the shoulders, whilst his whole soul looked at her from his eyes.