No woman can afford to be really devoted to a man; they can't help being mean, and immediately thinking the poor thing is of less consequence to please than some capricious cat they cannot obtain!" Sabine nodded, and Moravia went on: "But you need not fear! Henry will adore you always--because you really don't care!" and she sighed a little bitterly at the contrariness of things.
"It is good not to care, then ?" "Yes, I think so; for happiness in a home, the woman ought always to love a little the less." "Well, we shall be very happy, then," and Sabine echoed Moravia's sigh, but much more bitterly.
"You will be good to him, dearest ?" Moravia asked rather anxiously.

"He is the grandest character I have ever met in my life." "Yes, I will be good to him." "Just think!" Moravia, who had domestic instincts, now went on, in spite of the personal anguish she was feeling about her own love for Henry.
"You may have the happiness soon of being the mother of a lovely little son like Girolamo!" and she gave a great sigh as she looked into the fire.
Sabine stiffened all over, and an expression of horrified repugnance and dismay grew in her face, and she drew her breath in with a little gasp.
She had not faced this thought before, and she could not bear it now, and got up quickly, saying she must go off and dress or she would be late for dinner.
Moravia looked after her, full of wonder and foreboding for Henry.

What happiness could he expect if the woman he adored felt like that!.