First Part Chapter 36

You know that, between us two, my part is rather that of reason, yours
of imagination: I personify sober duty, you reckless love. It has
pleased fate to continue in our lives this contrast in character which
was imperceptible to all except ourselves. I am a simple country
vicountess, very ambitious, and making it her task to lead her family
on the road to prosperity. On the other hand, Macumer, late Duc de
Soria, has a name in the world, and you, a duchess by right, reign in
Paris, where reigning is no easy matter even for kings. You have a
considerable fortune, which will be doubled if Macumer carries out his
projects for developing his great estates in Sardinia, the resources
of which are matter of common talk at Marseilles. Deny, if you can,
that if either has the right to be jealous, it is not you. But, thank
God, we have both hearts generous enough to place our friendship
beyond reach of such vulgar pettiness.

I know you, dear; I know that, ere now, you are ashamed of having
fled. But don't suppose that your flight will save you from a single
word of discourse which I had prepared for your benefit to-day beneath
the rock. Read carefully then, I beg of you, what I say, for it
concerns you even more closely than Macumer, though he also enters
largely into my sermon.

Firstly, my dear, you do not love him. Before two years are over, you
will be sick of adoration. You will never look on Felipe as a husband;
to you he will always be the lover whom you can play with, for that is
how all women treat their lovers. You do not look up to him, or
reverence, or worship him as a woman should the god of her idolatry.
You see, I have made a study of love, my sweet, and more than once
have I taken soundings in the depth of my own heart. Now, as the
result of a careful diagnosis of your case, I can say with confidence,
this is not love.