I was ashamed of my weakness and my want of spirit.

I was determined not to look at him.
In the silence that followed he suddenly dropped on his knees at my feet, with a cry of despair that cut through me like a knife.
"Valeria! I am vile--I am false--I am unworthy of you.

Don't believe a word of what I have been saying--lies, lies, cowardly, contemptible lies! You don't know what I have gone through; you don't know how I have been tortured.

Oh, my darling, try not to despise me! I must have been beside myself when I spoke to you as I did.

You looked hurt; you looked offended; I didn't know what to do.