“How far has loyalty served you, Donna Maria? You have lost reputation, position, and family.”
“I have gained liberty and love,” she replied, raising her head proudly.
“But not happiness.”
“Liberty is love,” she answered, with a cry of revolt.
“You are the prisoner of your horrible condition, Donna Maria, and you are not sure that Marco Fiore loves you,” he insisted, determined to say all.
“It is I who ought to love him.”
“You don’t love him, Donna Maria. I swear that you don’t love him.”
“Who makes you say this? Who has told you this?”
“I say it because I know it. I say it because it is necessary to open your eyes to yourself and upon Marco Fiore!”
“Why do you do this? For what obscure motive? For what perfidious interest?”