Give me one look of comfort, and I will again be the warrior ready for the battle; it is you only who can give me back my courage; it is you only who can restore to me the privilege of standing erect before all mankind." "I can tell you nothing, Adolphe, but this--that, if you continue on your knees, I shall despise you; if you will rise, I will give you at any rate a reasonable answer." "Despise me, Agatha! no, you cannot despise me; the unutterable burning love of a true heart is not despicable; the character which I bear before mankind is not despicable.

Man is not despicable when he kneels before the object which he worships; and, Agatha, with all my heart, I worship you!" "Now you are profane as well as contemptible, and I shall leave you," and she walked towards the door.
"Stay then," said he, "stay, and I will rise," and, suiting the action to the word, he got up.

"Now speak to me in earnest, Agatha; and, since you will have it so, I also, if possible, will be calm.

Speak to me; but, unless you would have the misery of a disturbed spirit on your conscience, bid me not despair!" "Is that your calmness, Adolphe ?" "Can a man, rushing towards the brink of a precipice, be calm?
Can a man be calm on the verge of the grave?
I love you, Agatha, with a true and holy love; but still with a love fierce and untameable.

You reviled me when I said I worshipped you, but I adore the ground you tread on, and the air you breathe.