'Ay, the choice you have made is not, by heaven, so bad.
Sigismund Alvan's wife shall take the foremost place of all.

Look at me.' He lifted his head to the highest on his shoulders, widening his eagle eyes.

He was now thoroughly restored and in his own upper element, expansive after the humiliating contraction of his man's vanity under the glances of a girl.

'Do you take me for one who could be content with the part of second?
I will work and do battle unceasingly, but I will have too the prize of battle to clasp it, savour it richly.

I was not fashioned to be the lean meek martyr of a cause, not I.I carry too decisive a weight in the balance to victory.