Beatrice has not yet learned the great lesson of love in her own heart, but she knows and will never forget what love can grow to be in another, for she has fathomed its deepest depth.
And now you will tell me that Ruggiero did wrong and was a great sinner, and a murderer, and a suicide, and old Luigione is sure that he is burning in unquenchable fire.

And perhaps he is, though that is a question neither you nor I can well decide.

But one thing I can say of him, and that you cannot deny.

He was a man, strong, whole-hearted, willing to give all, as he gave it, without asking.

And perhaps if some of us could be like Ruggiero in all but his end, we should be better than we are, and truer, and more worthy to win the love of woman and better able to keep it.