'You've nearly squeezed the breath out of my body.' He pressed his hand to his heart, and looked really agitated and ill.
'Now get me a glass of wine,' said he, 'to remedy what you've done, you she tiger! I'm almost ready to faint.' I flew to get the required remedy.

It seemed to revive him considerably.
'What a shame it is,' said I, as I took the empty glass from his hand, 'for a strong young man like you to reduce yourself to such a state!' 'If you knew all, my girl, you'd say rather, "What a wonder it is you can bear it so well as you do!" I've lived more in these four months, Helen, than you have in the whole course of your existence, or will to the end of your days, if they numbered a hundred years; so I must expect to pay for it in some shape.' 'You will have to pay a higher price than you anticipate, if you don't take care: there will be the total loss of your own health, and of my affection too, if that is of any value to you.' 'What! you're at that game of threatening me with the loss of your affection again, are you?
I think it couldn't have been very genuine stuff to begin with, if it's so easily demolished.

If you don't mind, my pretty tyrant, you'll make me regret my choice in good earnest, and envy my friend Hattersley his meek little wife: she's quite a pattern to her sex, Helen.

He had her with him in London all the season, and she was no trouble at all.

He might amuse himself just as he pleased, in regular bachelor style, and she never complained of neglect; he might come home at any hour of the night or morning, or not come home at all; be sullen, sober, or glorious drunk; and play the fool or the madman to his own heart's desire, without any fear or botheration.