A moment later--I really believe she was moved by a kindly impulse--she intercepted me at the door.
"I know you are odd and quixotic, Marcus," she said in a softer tone.

"I hope you will do nothing rash." "What do you mean ?" I asked in a white heat of unreasonable rage.
"I hope you won't try to repair things by marrying this--young person." "To make an honest woman of her, do you mean ?" I asked grimly.
"Yes," said my aunt.
Then suddenly the Devil leaped into me and stirred all the elements of unrest, anger, and longing together in a cauldron which I suppose was my heart.

The result was explosion.

I made a step forward with raised hands and my aunt recoiled in alarm.
"By heaven!" I cried, "I would give the soul out of my body to marry her!" And I stumbled out of the house like a blind man.
From that moment of dazzling revelation till now I have nursed this infinite desire.

To say that I love Carlotta is to express Niagara in terms of a fountain.