Order the postillion to stop, I will get out of the carriage, and you may rely upon my not complaining of your treatment." Those few words were followed by a torrent of tears, a sight which I never could resist.

I felt myself moved in the inmost recesses of my soul, and I almost thought that I had been wrong.

I say almost, because, had I been convinced of it, I would have thrown myself at his feet entreating pardon; but, not feeling myself competent to stand in judgment in my own cause, I satisfied myself by remaining dull and silent, and I never uttered one word until we were only half a mile from Sinigaglia, where I intended to take supper and to remain for the night.

Having fought long enough with my own feelings, I said to him; "We might have spent a little time in Rimini like good friends, if you had felt any friendship for me, for, with a little kind compliance, you could have easily cured me of my passion." "It would not cure you," answered Bellino, courageously, but with a sweetness of tone which surprised me; "no, you would not be cured, whether you found me to be man or woman, for you are in love with me independently of my sex, and the certainty you would acquire would make you furious.

In such a state, should you find me inexorable, you would very likely give way to excesses which would afterwards cause you deep sorrow." "You expect to make me admit that you are right, but you are completely mistaken, for I feel that I should remain perfectly calm, and that by complying with my wishes you would gain my friendship." "I tell you again that you would become furious." "Bellino, that which has made me furious is the sight of your charms, either too real or too completely deceiving, the power of which you cannot affect to ignore.