"You do not consider me worthy to be Mila's husband," continued the modest Magnani. "It is true that I am not, padre; but if you knew how firmly I have resolved to become worthy!"
"My friend," rejoined the monk, "the day on which you should become Mila's husband, if you love each other fervently and sincerely, would be the happiest day in Pier-Angelo's life and mine; for we monks know that a man must love with his whole soul the spouse to whom he gives his life, whether that spouse be the family or the church. I believe that you love Mila, since you seek her hand; but I do not know whether Mila loves you or whether my brother is mistaken."
"Alas!" replied Magnani, "nor do I know myself."
"You do not know?" said Fra Angelo, drawing his eyebrows together; "she has never told you so?"
"Never!"
"But she has granted you some innocent favors, has she not? She has been alone with you?"
"Only by chance or from necessity."
"She has never made an appointment with you?"
"Never!"
"Not yesterday? was she not walking with you, in this neighborhood, last night at sunset?"