"Besides, sir, who ever grasps iron so swiftly is worth a parley.

To ask whether you are of knightly lineage would be useless trouble, and should it come to a genuine sword-dance.
"You will find a partner in me at any time," was the reply, "as I, who wear my ancient escutcheon with good right, would gladly give you a crimson memento of this hour--though you were but the son of a cobbler.
But first let us ascertain--for I, too, dislike darkness--whether we are really standing in each other's light.

With all due respect for your fancy for warming chains, it would be wise, ere Sir Red Coat--[The executioner]--puts his round our ankles for disturbing the peace, to have a sensible talk." "Try it, for aught I care," responded Heinz Schorlin cheerily.
"Unluckily for me, I live in a state of perpetual feud with good sense.
One thing, however, seems certain without any serious reflection: the attraction which draws me here, as well as you, will not enter the cloister as a monk, but as a little nun, wears no beard, but braids her hair.

Briefly, then, if you are here for Countess Cordula von Montfort's sake, your errand is vain; she will sleep at Kadolzburg to-night." "May her slumber be sweet!" replied Wolff calmly.

"She is as near to me as yonder moon." "That gives the matter a more serious aspect," cried the knight angrily.
"You or I.What is your lady's name ?" "That, to my mind, is asking too much," replied Wolff firmly.
"And the law of love gives you the right to withhold an answer.