First Part Chapter 39

While he was whispering this in my ear, his arm round me, my head
resting on his shoulder, the cries of a bat, surprised by an owl,
disturbed us. This death-cry struck me with such terror that Felipe
carried me half-fainting to my bed. But don't be alarmed! Though this
augury of evil still resounds in my soul, I am quite myself this
morning. As soon as I was up, I went to Felipe, and, kneeling before
him, my eyes fixed on his, his hands clasped in mine, I said to him:-

"My love, I am a child, and Renee may be right after all. It may be
only your love that I love in you; but at least I can assure you that
this is the one feeling of my heart, and that I love you as it is
given me to love. But if there be aught in me, in my lightest thought
or deed, which jars on your wishes or conception of me, I implore you
to tell me, to say what it is. It will be a joy to me to hear you and
to take your eyes as the guiding-stars of my life. Renee has
frightened me, for she is a true friend."

Macumer could not find voice to reply, tears choked him.

I can thank you now, Renee. But for your letter I should not have
known the depths of love in my noble, kingly Macumer. Rome is the city
of love; it is there that passion should celebrate its feast, with art
and religion as confederates.