My passion for you is no idle boyish love; it has grown with my growth, and matured itself with my manhood.

I cannot now say to myself that it shall cease to be.
I cannot restore calmness to my heart or rest to my bosom.

My love is a fire which cannot now be quenched; it must be nourished, or it will destroy the heart which is unable to restrain it.

Think, Agatha, of all the misery you are inflicting; think also of the celestial joy one word of yours is capable of giving." "I have said before that I grieve to pain you; but I cannot speak a falsehood.

Were it to save us both from instant death, I could not say that I love you in the sense you mean." "Oh, Agatha! I do not ask you to love me--that is not to love me now; if you will only say that your heart is not for ever closed against my prayers, I will leave you contented." "I can say nothing which would give you any hope of that which can never happen." "And that is all I am to expect from you in return for as true a love as man ever bore to woman ?" "I cannot make you the return you wish.