Ruggiero had never valued his life very highly, and since he had loved Beatrice he did not value it a straw.

This state of mind can make a man an exceedingly dangerous person, especially when he is so endowed that he can tear a new horse shoe in two with his hands, and break a five franc piece with his thumbs and forefingers as another man breaks a biscuit.
As Ruggiero came out of the tunnel and reached the platform of rock from which the last part of the descent goes down to the sea in the open air, he stood still a moment and expressed his determination in a low tone.
There was no one near to hear him.
"Whatever she asks," he said.

"Truly it is of great importance what becomes of me! If it is a little thing it costs nothing.

If it is a great thing--well, I will do it if I can.

Then I will say, 'Excellency'-- no--'Signorina, here it is done.