Rafael Sabatini

“ Almost as much shame as I take at the memory of that other bargain which first brought me to Lavédan. The shame of the former one I have wiped out—although, perchance, you think it not. I am wiping out the shame of the latter one. It was unworthy in me, mademoiselle, but I loved you so dearly that it seemed to me that no matter how I came by you, I should rest content if I but won you. I have since seen the error if it, the injustice of it. I will not take what is not freely given. And so, farewell.”
“I see, I see,” she murmured, and ignored the hand that I held out. ”

“ Your promise was to save my father from the scaffold. You have done so, and I make no doubt you have done as much to reduce the term of his banishment as lay within your power. Yes, monsieur, I am satisfied that your promise has been well fulfilled.”
Heigho! The resolve that I had formed in coming whispered it in my ear that nothing remained but to withdraw and go my way. Yet not for all that resolve—not for a hundred such resolves—could I have gone thus. One kindly word, one kindly glance at least would I take to comfort me. ”

“ Her voice arrested me upon the very threshold.
“What shall a poor girl do with this great estate upon her hands? It will go to ruin without a man to govern it.”
“You must not attempt the task. You must employ an intendant.”
I caught something that sounded oddly like a sob. Could it be? Dieu! could it be, after all? Yet I would not presume. I half turned again, but her voice detained me. It came petulantly now.
“Monsieur de Bardelys, you have kept your promise nobly. Will you ask no payment?” ”