"They have trapped us both with the same bait."

"I care nothing about myself, Lucia. Besides, there is no
pressing danger with me. They have simply returned me to my
cell."

"Oh, Etienne, Etienne, they will kill you. Lorenzo is there."

"The old greybeard?"

"No, no, a young dark man. He loved me, and I thought I loved
him until--until I learned what love is, Etienne. He will never
forgive you. He has a heart of stone."

"Let them do what they like. They cannot rob me of the past,
Lucia. But you--what about you?"

"It will be nothing, Etienne. Only a pang for an instant and
then all over. They mean it as a badge of infamy, dear, but I
will carry it like a crown of honour since it was through you
that I gained it."

Her words froze my blood with horror. All my adventures were
insignificant compared to this terrible shadow which was creeping
over my soul.

"Lucia! Lucia!" I cried. "For pity's sake tell me what these
butchers are about to do. Tell me, Lucia!