At least I have learnt what I knew nothing of before: now I understand what people mean when they say that love adds a dignity to life which nothing else can give.

That dignity is mine now, nothing can take it from me; it is my own.

You are my very own; I love everything about you.

From the beginning I recognized that you were clever and capable.

Though I often made fun of what you said, that was simply a way I had; and when I saw you did not mind, I continued in that way, hoping always to vex you; your good temper provoked me, because I knew that you made allowances for me being a Petershof invalid.