If I had not met you, my beloved, I should probably have gone through life without realizing such feelings myself; for what I feel for my husband....

well, I have for him the obedience which my position as a wife imposes upon me." "And yet he is most happy, and I envy him! He can clasp in his arms all your lovely person whenever he likes! There is no hateful veil to hide any of your charms from his gaze." "Oh! where art thou, my dear serpent?
Come to us, come and protect us against the surprise of the uninitiated, and this very instant I fulfil all the wishes of him I adore!" We passed the morning in repeating that we loved each other, and in exchanging over and over again substantial proofs of our mutual passion.
We had a delicious dinner, during which I was all attention for the amiable Donna Cecilia.

My pretty tortoise-shell box, filled with excellent snuff, went more than once round the table.

As it happened to be in the hands of Lucrezia who was sitting on my left, her husband told her that, if I had no objection, she might give me her ring and keep the snuff-box in exchange.

Thinking that the ring was not of as much value as my box, I immediately accepted, but I found the ring of greater value.
Lucrezia would not, however, listen to anything on that subject.