"I hope that you will not do that," he said.
"Is there anything you wished to speak to me about—? That is—er—anything of importance?"
Goritz looked past her toward the profile of the distant mountain, and smiled.
"I thought that you might be interested to learn something of my reasons for stopping here."
"The insect in the web of the spider has little emotion left for curiosity."
"The spider! I have always admired your courage, Countess."
"I can die but once."
"Perhaps you may care to know that you are not in the slightest danger of death."
"Thanks," she said coolly. "Your kindness is overwhelming. Or is my—'elimination' no longer essential?"
The more flippant her tone, the more somber Goritz became.