He saw the woman's mental and physical loathing of himself conquering her fears for Dirk.

Unless he was much mistaken she was about to defy him, which, as a matter of fact, would have proved exceedingly awkward, as his pecuniary resources were exhausted.

Also on the very insufficient evidence which he possessed he would not have dared to touch Dirk, and thus to make himself a thousand powerful enemies.
"It is strange," he said, "that the irony of circumstances should reduce me to pleading for a rival.

But, Lysbeth van Hout, before you answer I beg you to think.

Upon the next movements of your lips it depends whether that body you love shall be stretched upon the rack, whether those eyes which you find pleasant shall grow blind with agony in the darkness of a dungeon, and whether that flesh which you think desirable shall scorch and wither in the furnace.