He pretended not to have the slightest knowledge who she
was. He had been seized and subdued by her charms, her loveliness; and
it was quite sufficient happiness for him to be permitted to watch for
her and to tread in her steps day by day. He only wished to speak and
tell her so, lest she might suppose him disrespectful.
The ice once broken, arrangements for accidental meetings followed.
Signer Filippo did not disclose himself, except to say his position was
so far below hers, that he had but one hope, one aspiration, which was,
that she would permit him to be her willing slave forever. He asked and
expected nothing beyond the privilege of worshipping her.
But how happens it that Belle Meeker is desperately in love with the
Signor?
I will endeavor to explain.
Possessing not one spark of sentiment or native refinement, accustomed
to no restraint on her temper or will, she presents an example of a
strong sensuous nature, uncontrolled by any fine moral instincts or
perceptions.
This is why in person and appearance Signor Filippo is quite to her
taste. The wily adventurer had made no mistake when he judged of the
girl's nature. Understanding her arbitrary disposition, and her
impatience of any restraint whatever, he adroitly maintained his air of
extreme deference and respect, which was increased a thousand-fold on
his discovering, as he pretended one day to do, who the object of his
adoration was.
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