"That's exactly it!" he said, gratified at being so thoroughly understood.
"Well, can't you see how selfish that is of you?"
"It's splendid being selfish," he said, "and not really so difficult after all—when you try."
"And how do you suppose you could prevent me from marrying Prince Mirliflor if I thought proper to accept him?"
"Oh, that would be easy. I should only have to unchain Tützi, and send him to kill the Prince for me. Tützi's so intelligent and obedient that he'll do everything I tell him."
"I think you forget, Count, that it's against the law to let that dragon loose."
"I know," he said; "but I've no respect for human laws any more. I'm not going to obey anything in future, except my own instincts."
"I'm sure you don't mean that. And if you really sent that dragon to kill anybody—especially anyone who had done nothing to offend you—it would be very wicked indeed."
"Other people might think so," he said. "I shouldn't myself—and that's all that really matters. I'm going to make my own morality for the future. I want to be a Superman, like that learned man you told me about with the odd name. Aren't you glad I'm taking your advice?"
"Of course I am pleased," said Edna, "that you should be more independent and unconventional and assert yourself—which is all that Nietzsche really meant. You mustn't carry it too far, you know."