Within the Tides by Joseph Conrad
page 90 of 228 (39%)
page 90 of 228 (39%)
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I would climb up to the seventh heaven to bring you down to earth
for my own--and if I saw you steeped to the lips in vice, in crime, in mud, I would go after you, take you to my arms--wear you for an incomparable jewel on my breast. And that's love--true love--the gift and the curse of the gods. There is no other." The truth vibrating in his voice made her recoil slightly, for she was not fit to hear it--not even a little--not even one single time in her life. It was revolting to her; and in her trouble, perhaps prompted by the suggestion of his name or to soften the harshness of expression, for she was obscurely moved, she spoke to him in French. "Assez! J'ai horreur de tout cela," she said. He was white to his very lips, but he was trembling no more. The dice had been cast, and not even violence could alter the throw. She passed by him unbendingly, and he followed her down the path. After a time she heard him saying: "And your dream is to influence a human destiny?" "Yes!" she answered curtly, unabashed, with a woman's complete assurance. "Then you may rest content. You have done it." She shrugged her shoulders slightly. But just before reaching the end of the path she relented, stopped, and went back to him. |
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