And yet, there is such a thing." He reached that conclusion unwillingly and angrily.

For the first time, a doubt about himself forced its way into his mind.

Might he have looked higher than his torture-table and his knife?
Had he gained from his life all that his life might have given to him?
Left by herself, Zo began to grow tired of it.

She tried to get Carmina for a companion.

"Come and look out of window," she said.
Carmina gently refused: she was unwilling to be disturbed.