In spite of his Christian stoicism, when she went up and addressed him, and smiled gaily, encouragingly, even fondly in his face, his hand would tremble and his eye burn. He seemed to say, with his sad and resolute look, if he did not say it with his lips, "I love you, and I know you prefer me.
A dispetto del suo stoicismo cristiano, quando la ragazza gli rivolgeva la parola e gli sorrideva, egli tremava e gli occhi mandavano fiamme, e se le labbra restavano mute, lo sguardo pareva che le dicesse: "Vi amo e so che voi avete una preferenza per me.