To his sisters, meantime, he was somewhat kinder than usual: as if afraid that mere coldness would not sufficiently convince me how completely I was banished and banned, he added the force of contrast; and this I am sure he did not by force, but on principle.
Qualche volta era più affettuoso che mai verso le sorelle, perché temeva che la sua freddezza non mi convincesse che mi aveva bandita, e voleva aumentare quella differenza col contrasto. Allora certo era più cattivo, ma per principio.