"Yes, I know that you love me.... You have already given me proof of it ... but in love, as in everything not transitory in this world, there is always a more and less.... Only divine love is infinite.... The love that you bear me has stood certain proofs; who knows if it could stand others?"
"The love which I have for thee," said the young marquis, placing his hand on his heart, "has power to stand all proofs."
"All?"
"All."
"Even if I were to ask you your life?..."
"Bah! bah!" replied the young man, shrugging his shoulders with gesture of disdain, "that would be to ask very little."
Maria smiled with satisfaction, and after a pause, demanded timidly,—
"And if I asked your honor ... or what you men understand by honor?..." she added, correcting herself.
Ricardo, slightly pale, arose to his feet, and hesitated some time before he replied. At last he said in a low tone, calmly:—
"Honor, my love, is not our own possession; it is a trust which heaven places in our hands at birth, demanding account of it when we die."