A man who will not go because a woman loathes him will certainly not leave her for a hint.
"Countess," he began again, at last, "will you listen to me ?" "I suppose I must.

I presume my father has left you here to insult me at your noble leisure." "Ah, countess, dear countess,"-- she shrank away from him,--"you should know me better than to believe me capable of anything so monstrous.

I insult you?
Gracious heaven! I, who adore you; who worship the holy ground whereon you tread; who would preserve the precious air you have breathed in vessels of virgin crystal; who would give a drop of my blood for every word you vouchsafe me, kind or cruel,--I, who look on you as the only divinity in this desolate heathen world, who reverence you and do you daily homage, who adore you--" "You manifest your adoration in a singular manner, sir," said Hedwig, interrupting him with something of her father's severity.
"I show it as best I can," the old scoundrel pleaded, working himself into a passion of words.

"My life, my fortune, my name, my honour,--I cast them at your feet.

For you I will be a hermit, a saint, dwelling in solitary places and doing good works; or I will brave every danger the narrow earth holds, by sea and land, for you.