The terrible adventure I had dreaded was now over, and I felt myself again.

In truth, it was a curious thing to happen to a man of my years and my habits; but the things I had heard had so much absorbed my attention that, while the interview lasted, I had forgotten the strange manner of the meeting.

I was horrified at the extent of the girl's misery, more felt than understood from her brief description and passionate outbreaks.

There is no mistaking the strength of a suffering that wastes and consumes the mortal part of us as wax melts at the fire.
And Benoni--the villain! He had written to ask Hedwig in marriage before he came to see me in Rome.

There was something fiendish in his almost inviting me to see his triumph, and I cursed him as I kicked the loose stones in the road with my heavy shoes.