It is barely to be supposed that he should understand what in her love for him she sacrificed in giving up Italy, as she phrased it.

He had some little notion of the sacrifice; but, as he did not demand any sacrifice of the sort, and as this involved a question perplexing, irritating, absurd, he did not regard it very favourably.

As mistress of his fancy, her prospective musical triumphs were the crown of gold hanging over her.

As wife of his bosom, they were not to be thought of.

But the wife of his bosom must take her place by virtue of some wondrous charm.