Aniela died this morning. - Henryk Sienkiewicz

I know that even the meanest person has still at his disposition high-sounding words wherewith to mask his real character.

I love her now beyond all words; she sees it, — she reads it in my eyes, and in my whole manner towards her. When I succeed in cheering her up, or call forth her smiles, I am beside myself with delight. There is at present in my love something of the attachment of the faithful servant who loves his mistress. I often feel as if I ought to humble myself before her, as if my proper place were at her feet. She never can grow ugly, changed, or old to me. I accept everything, agree to everything, and worship her as she is.

There is within us a moral instinct which forbids us to rejoice at the death of even an enemy.