"Old age is a sad thing, Anna. It freezes one's blood and one's heart."
"What does it matter? I don't ask you to love me. I only want to love you."
"Will you never ask it of me?"
"Never."
"Promise."
"I promise."
"By whatever you hold most sacred, will you promise it?"
"By Heaven that hears me, by the blessed souls of my mother and father who watch over me; by my affection for my sister Laura; by the holiest thing in my heart, that is, by my love for you, I promise it, I swear it, I will never ask you to love me."
"You won't complain of me, and of my coldness?"
"I will never complain. I will regard you as my greatest benefactor."