The Duchess of Altomonte moved her hand vaguely and slowly, and for the first time a slight smile appeared on her lips.
“All that is so long, long ago!” and emotion rendered her dominating voice less firm, “from the day on which he knew me till that of his death, the Duke of Altomonte had a peaceful and equal tenderness for me, a strong moral sympathy, a tranquil and secure attachment.”
“Nothing more? Nothing more?”
“It was enough for me. I was quite content, and I thanked God for it every day, and even now it still forms the sweetest and pleasantest recollection of my life, now too long.”
“And you, and you, how did you love him?”
“As a Christian, Vittoria. I loved him with respect, devotion, and fidelity.”
“Nothing more? Nothing more?”
“Nothing more.”
“Did it satisfy your husband?”
“He never asked anything else from me. I always saw him serene; he died peacefully with his hand in mine.”