This plain and frank declaration was made in a tone, an accent, and supported by a look which gave it the deepest stamp of truth. "A Princess Colonna could not have spoken better," said Rodolphe, smiling. "Is that," she answered with some haughtiness, "a reflection on the humbleness of my birth? Must your love flaunt a coat-of-arms? At Milan the noblest names are written over shop-doors: Sforza, Canova, Visconti, Trivulzio, Ursini; there are Archintos apothecaries; but, believe me, though I keep a shop, I have the feelings of a duchess." "A reflection? Nay, madame, I meant it for praise." "By a comparison?" she said archly. "Ah, once for all," said he, "not to torture me if my words should ill express my feelings, understand that my love is perfect; it carries with it absolute obedience and respect." She bowed as a woman satisfied, and said, "Then monsieur accepts the treaty?" "Yes," said he. "I can understand that in a rich and powerful feminine nature the faculty of loving ought not to be wasted, and that you, out of delicacy, wished to restrain it. Ah! Francesca, at my age tenderness requited, and by so sublime, so royally beautiful a creature as you are--why, it is the fulfilment of all my wishes. To love you as you desire to be loved--is not that enough to make a young man guard himself against every evil folly? Is it not to concentrate all his powers in a noble passion, of which in the future he may be proud, and which can leave none but lovely memories? If you could but know with what hues you have clothed the chain of Pilatus, the Rigi, and this superb lake--" "I want to know," said she, with the Italian artlessness which has always a touch of artfulness. "Well, this hour will shine on all my life like a diamond on a queen's brow." Francesca's only reply was to lay her hand on Rodolphe's. "Oh dearest! for ever dearest!--Tell me, have you never loved?" "Never." "And you allow me to love you nobly, looking to heaven for the utmost fulfilment?" he asked.