I have never deceived you; but one thing I have hitherto concealed from you because I was never till this morning sure of it myself--now I am.

Now I know that I love him." "The Christian ?" said the old woman, pushing aside a shade that screened her eyes.
"Yes, Constantine; I will not hear you abuse him." Damia laughed sharply, and said in a tone of supreme scorn: "You will not?
Then you had better stop your ears, my dear, for as long as my tongue can wag...." "Hush, grandmother, say no more," said the girl resolutely.

"Do not provoke me with more than I can bear.

Eros has pierced me later than he does most girls and has done it but once, but how deeply you can never know.

If you speak ill of him you only aggravate the wound and you would not be so cruel! Do not--I entreat you; drop the subject or else..." "Or else ?" "Or else I must die, mother--and you know you love me." Her tone was soft but firm; her words referred to the future, but that future was as clear to Gorgo's view as if it were past.