"I will kill myself, Laura."
"Those who say it don't do it."
"You are deceiving yourself, wicked, scornful creature."
"Those who say it don't do it," repeated Laura, laughing bitterly.
"But understand me! I can't endure this betrayal. Understand! I—I alone have the right to love Cesare. He is mine. I won't give him up to anybody. My only refuge, my only comfort, my only consolation is in my love. Don't you see that I have nothing else?"
"Luigi Caracciolo loves you, though," said Laura, smiling.
"What are you saying to me?"
"You might fall in love with him."
"You propose an infamy to me."
"But consider. I love Cesare; Cesare loves me and not you. But Caracciolo loves you. Well, why not fall in love with him?"