But it was a task demanding prudence and patience. In that
first interview, his ardour had availed him nothing. Obviously, she had
founded her plan of impeccability on the grand phrase--'Could you endure
to share me with another?' The mainspring of the great platonic business
was a virtuous horror of divided possession. For the rest, it was just
within the bounds of possibility that this horror was not feigned. Most
women addicted to the practice of free love, if they do eventually
marry, affect, during the early days of their marriage, a savage
virtue, and make professions of conjugal fidelity with the most honest
determination. Perhaps, therefore, Elena had been affected by this
common scruple, in which case, nothing would be more ill-advised than to
show his hand too boldly and offend against her new-found virtue. The
better plan would be to second her spiritual aspirations, accept her as
'the fondest of sisters, the truest of friends,' intoxicate her with the
ideal, be skilfully platonic and then make her glide imperceptibly from
frank sisterly relations to a more passionate friendship, and from
thence to the complete surrender of her person. In all probability these
transitions would occur very rapidly. It all depended upon a wise
adjustment of circumstances----
Thus Andrea Sperelli reasoned, sitting in front of the fire which had
glowed upon Elena, laughing among the scattered rose leaves.
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