That I shall die shortly, and of this cholera, is with me a fixed idea, which nothing can remove.

No, madam--it is useless to combat it! But had I anything, by which to the last moment I could bring back to my fancy what has been its sunlight for so long; even if it were a scrap of the hem of your garment, aye, a grain of dust off your feet-- God forgive me! He and His mercy ought to be enough to keep me up: but one's weakness may be excused for clinging to such slight floating straws of comfort." Valencia paused, startled, and yet affected.

How she had played with this deep pure heart! And yet, was it pure?
Did he wish, by exciting her pity, to trick her into giving him what he might choose to consider a token of affection?
And she answered coldly enough-- "I should be sorry, after what you have just said, to chance hurting you by refusing.

I put it to your own good feeling--have you not asked somewhat too much ?" "Certainly too much, madam, in any common case," said he, quite unmoved.
"Certainly too much, if I asked you for it, as I do not, as the token of an affection which I know well you do not, cannot feel.

But--take my words as they stand--were you to--It would be returned if I die, in a few weeks; and returned still sooner if I live.