“On the contrary, I wish to bring you to your senses. Listen to me calmly.”
“I cannot.”
“But you must. This passion of yours is a boyish love.”
“It is my life.”
“Nothing of the kind. I don’t want your love. I could not return it.”
“But you won’t try.”
“I will not indeed. I am selfish enough to care for my own happiness, and my happiness—that is, the matrimonial part of it—does not lie with you. You are very fond of me?”
“I—”
“Now, don’t rhapsodize. You would do a good deal to make me happy?”
“Anything.”