To preserve your love I would dare everything, even my soul's welfare.

I would hesitate at no crime to keep you ever near me.

Let those beware who would force you from me." "What means this passion, my Lord ?" inquired the Countess.
"It means that since there are those who will mar our happiness; who, jealous of our loves, will utterly blight and destroy them; who will tear us forcibly asunder, recking little of the anguish they occasion: since we have enemies who will do this; who will mortally wound us--let us no longer hesitate, but strike the first blow.

We must rid ourselves of them at any cost, and in any way." "I will not affect to misunderstand you, my Lord," the Countess replied, her beautiful features beginning to exhibit traces of terror.

"But has it arrived at this point?
Is the danger imminent and inevitable ?" "Imminent, but not inevitable," Lord Roos rejoined.