In the depths of his heart he did not respect his mother and (though this he never acknowledged to himself) did not love her, but in accordance with the views of the set he lived in, and as a result of his education, he could not imagine himself treating her in any way but one altogether submissive and respectful; the more submissive and respectful he was externally, the less he honoured and loved her in his heart.
Egli, in fondo, non stimava sua madre e, senza rendersene conto, non l’amava neppure, sebbene, per l’ambiente in cui viveva e per la propria educazione, non sapeva immaginare altri rapporti verso di lei che quelli propriamente sottomessi e rispettosi, anzi tanto più sottomessi e rispettosi quanto meno intimamente la stimava ed amava.