I was not a fool, to think that she loved me; but she was set to conquer me, and with her there was no price that seemed high when the prize was victory or a whim's fulfilment.
I would have written none of this, but that it is so part and marrow of my history that without it the record of my life would go limping on one leg.
She rose and came near me again.

Now she laughed, yet still not lightly, but as though she hid a graver mood.
"Come," said she, "you needn't fear to be civil to me.

Mistress Barbara is not here." The taunt was well conceived; for the most part there is no incitement that more whips a man to any madness than to lay self-control to the score of cowardice, and tell him that his scruples are not his own, but worn by command of another and on pain of her displeasure.

But sometimes woman's cunning goes astray, and a name, used in mockery, speaks for itself with strong attraction, as though it held the charm of her it stands for.

The name, falling from Nell's pouting lips, had power to raise in me a picture, and the picture spread, like a very painting done on canvas, a screen between me and the alluring eyes that sought mine in provoking witchery.