Flog me to the bone or to the death--let that be the reward of all that I have done, all that I have risked, all that I have sacrificed to serve you.

It were of a piece with your other actions." Her eyes sought his in the gloom, her bosom heaving wildly in her endeavours to master herself before she spoke.
"Messer Gonzaga," said she at last, "I'll not deny that you served me faithfully in the matter of my escape from Urbino----" "Why speak of it ?" he sneered.

"It was a service of which you but avail yourself until another offered on whom you might bestow your favour and the supreme command of your fortress.

Why speak of it ?" "To show you that the service you allude to is now paid," she riposted sternly.

"By reproaching me you have taken payment, and by insulting me you have stamped out my gratitude." "A most convenient logic yours," he mocked.