How often, oppressed by the intensity of her love, had she not given him her soul, her whole being, in that one word, spoken under her breath, all others seeming to her inadequate, or worn by too many lips! Giovanni answered sadly, wearily: "Maria." No longer feeling her face on his hair he feared he had spoken coldly to her.
"Dearest!" he said.
She was silent for a moment, then placing both hands on his head, began, caressing it slowly, saying: "Blessed are they who suffer for Truth's sake." He turned round, smiling, with a thrill of affection.

Having assured himself by a glance that Noemi was no longer present, he raised his arm and drew the dear face down to his lips.
"I need you so much," he said.

"I need your strength!" "That is why I am yours," Maria answered.

"I am strong only because you love me." He took her hand and kissed it reverently.
"Do you understand ?" he presently exclaimed, raising his head.

"Perhaps you do not know how deep my suffering really is, for it is a dark point even to me, who am old, and yet do not know myself.