“But，asIlookuponthisportraitandlistentoyoursmilethatwhispersofrapture，theraysofahopewhichIhadsternlybanishedpiercedthegloom，likethelightofdawn，againtobeobscuredbyrisingmistsofdoubtandfearofyourdispleasure，ifthemorningshouldbreaktoday。No，itisimpossibleyoushouldlovemeyet——Ifeelit；butintime，asyoumakeproofofthestrength，theconstancy，anddepthofmyaffection，youmayyieldmesomefootholdinyourheart。Ifmydaringoffendsyou，tellmesowithoutanger，andIwillreturntomyformerpart。Butifyouconsenttotryandloveme，bemercifulandbreakitgentlytoonewhohasplacedthehappinessofhislifeinthesinglethoughtofservingyou。“
Mydear，asIreadtheselastwords，heseemedtorisebeforeme，paleasthenightwhenthecamelliastoldtheirstoryandheknewhisofferingwasaccepted。Thesewords，intheirhumility，wereclearlysomethingquitedifferentfromtheusualfloweryrhetoricoflovers，andawaveoffeelingbrokeoverme；itwasthebreathofhappiness。
Theweatherhasbeenatrocious；impossibletogototheBoiswithoutexcitingallsortsofsuspicions。Evenmymother，whooftengoesout，regardlessofrain，remainsathome，andalone。
Wednesdayevening。
Ihavejustseen/him/attheOpera，mydear；heisanotherman。Hecametoourbox，introducedbytheSardinianambassador。