Only we embraced, and I confess, I think I wept a little.

It all seemed so sad and hopeless, these longings endured through many years, these perpetual, weary travellings, and now--the end.

I could not bear to think of that splendid man, my ward, my most dear friend, the companion of my life, who stood before me so full of beauty and of vigour, but who must within a few short minutes be turned into a heap of quivering, mangled flesh.

For myself it did not matter.
I was old, it was time that I should die.

I had lived innocently, if it were innocent to follow this lovely image, this Siren of the caves, who lured us on to doom.
No, I don't think that I thought of myself then, but I thought a great deal of Leo, and when I saw his determined face and flashing eyes as he nerved himself to the last endeavour, I was proud of him.