"Come, sir, your plan has failed: give up the letter." Rupert looked at him thoughtfully.
"You'll see me safe off if I give it you ?" he asked.
"I'll prevent your death.

Yes, and I'll see you safe." "Where to ?" "To a fortress, where a trustworthy gentleman will guard you." "For how long, my dear friend ?" "I hope for many years, my dear Count." "In fact, I suppose, as long as-- ?" "Heaven leaves you to the world, Count.

It's impossible to set you free." "That's the offer, then ?" "The extreme limit of indulgence," answered Rudolf.

Rupert burst into a laugh, half of defiance, yet touched with the ring of true amusement.
Then he lit a cigarette and sat puffing and smiling.
"I should wrong you by straining your kindness so far," said he; and in wanton insolence, seeking again to show Mr.Rassendyll the mean esteem in which he held him, and the weariness his presence was, he raised his arms and stretched them above his head, as a man does in the fatigue of tedium.

"Heigho!" he yawned.
But he had overshot the mark this time.