If it had not come to me, I might have been your wife.

And I esteemed you so much, that I should have been happy.

But now I understand the difference.

You, whom I had accepted, would never have been more to me than a tender companion; he whom I have chosen will be my master." Pierre uttered a cry at this cruel and frank avowal.
"Ah! how you hurt me!" And bitter tears rolled down his face to the relief of his overburdened heart.

He sank on to a seat, and for a moment gave way to violent grief.