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Within the Tides by Joseph Conrad
page 90 of 228 (39%)
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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