"Do you think that I have never thought of this possibility, during
all these years?" she asked. "Do you really believe that I would let
you suffer for me, let your life be broken, let you give up the best
thing that any life holds, after you have done for me what perhaps no
man ever did for a woman before?"
"I know you are grateful," Malipieri answered very gently. "Do not
speak of what I have done. It has not been at any sacrifice, till
now."
But Sabina leaned forward and grasped the Signora Malipieri's hands.
Her own were trembling.
"You have come to help us!" she cried. "It is so easy, now that I know
that you love each other."
"How?" asked Sabina, breathless. "By a divorce?"
"Yes."
"I shall never ask for that," Malipieri said, shaking his head.
"You are the best and truest gentleman that ever protected a woman in
trouble, Signor Malipieri," said the little woman quietly. "I know
that you will never divorce me. I know you would not even think of
it."
"Well, but then--" Malipieri stopped and looked at her.
"I shall get a divorce from you," she said, and then she looked
happily from one to the other.
Malipieri covered his eyes with his hand. He had not even thought of
such a solution, and the thought came upon him in his despair like a
flood of dazzling light.
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