"Victor, oh, Victor." The little witch had hypnotised me, and then was graceless enough to mock at me.
"Irma, I love you, I love you."
She gave a little start and I felt her hands tremble; I saw a new look come into her eyes, rather startled, and shy.
"Victor, what are you saying?"
"Oh, I know what I say, have known it for all the time that has passed since I saw you last. I love you, and I want you to say that you will try to love me. Irma, my beautiful Irma, will you try?"
"Are you sure you want me, are you sure it is not mere liking, are you sure, oh, Victor, are you sure?" There was a little break in her voice.
"Am I sure? Yes, I am, I love you so much that the mere thought of you makes me happy. Irma, I never thought it possible until I met you that God could be so kind, and yet He has been very good to me, everything has prospered with me, but I would sooner be a peasant, with you, than reign where I do without you. I can't live without you, I love you so."
"What do you want me to say?" she said, so softly that only my lover's ears could have caught the words.
"Say you love me a little, my darling."
"It would hardly be true, Victor, for I love you with my whole heart."