"I don't mean to speak ill of myself," said the princess, with proud impetuosity, "But I had not much affection to give you. I did not want affection. I had been stifled with it. I wanted to live out the life that was in me, and not to be hampered with other lives. You wonder what I was. I was no princess then." She rose with a sudden movement, and stood as she had done before. Deronda immediately rose too; he felt breathless.

"I don't mean to speak ill of myself," said the princess proudly, "But I had not much affection to give you. I wanted to live out the life that was in me, and not to be hampered with other lives. I was no princess then." She rose with a sudden movement, and Deronda rose too; he felt breathless.
