"One is foolish, perhaps, to be so frank, but that is my nature. You would not have me change it?"
"You couldn't if you tried."
"Martel has always known I loved him. I could never conceal it. I never wished to. If he had not seen it I would have told him. Just now, when I heard he was threatened—well, you see."
"Ippolito had no business to mention the matter. I suppose his tongue ran away with him. Tongues have a way of doing such things when their owners are in love."
"He is not for Lucrezia."
"Why? He's a fine fellow."
"Oh, but Lucrezia is superior. I have taught her a great many things. She is more like a sister to me than a servant, and I could not see her married to a farm-hand. She can do much better than to marry Ippolito."
"Love goes where it pleases," said the American with so much feeling that Margherita's eyes leaped to his.
"You know? Ah, my good friend, then you have loved?"
He nodded. "I have. I do."