“Can nothing soften your heart of stone?” he appealed.
“Nothing, sir. I hate you strongly. If these were the days of Lucretia Borgia, without compunction I would have you killed. The world can do without you.”
“And yet,” said he, softly, as though consoled by the thought, “I have given up all for you.”
“I have seen nothing that you have done,” she said, sternly, “and more, I ask nothing of you, save that you walk your way, and leave me in peace to go mine.”
“You know, Ouida,” said the man of strength, “that I, too, am ambitious; that men and women showered upon me their plaudits; that I had won a strong place in this great city. I have given up my church!”
She started in breathless amazement! “Sacrificed your wondrous future, and for me?”
And simply he said: “The price of my sin to you.”
Then a deeper silence than ever before fell upon these two, and again there was no speech between them.
“Now,” at length, he said, “I am ready to be sent forth with your cruel scorn, following me even to the end of time.”