The question of death became my constant preoccupation as I grew to think I would never see it, nor hear men speak of it, nor--" "And you have come," I could not but interrupt him, "here, to the very fortress--Why, man!--" "I know," he answered, smiling at me.

"It must seem to you ridiculous.
But I am a different person now--very different.

Now I am ready, eager for anything.

Death can be nothing to me now, or if that is too bold, at least I may say that I am prepared to meet him--anywhere--at any time.

I want to meet him--I want to show--" "We have all," I said, "in our hearts, perhaps, come like that--come to prove that our secret picture of ourselves, that picture so different from our friends' opinion of us, is really the true one.