Кармілла

           ButIshalldomybest;andonethingiscertain,thatyoumustnotthinkofleavinguswithoutherdistinctdirectiontothateffect.Weshouldsuffertoomuchinpartingfromyoutoconsenttoiteasily."

           "Thankyou,sir,athousandtimesforyourhospitality,"sheanswered,smilingbashfully."Youhaveallbeentookindtome;Ihaveseldombeensohappyinallmylifebefore,asinyourbeautifulchateau,underyourcare,andinthesocietyofyourdeardaughter."

           Sohegallantly,inhisold-fashionedway,kissedherhand,smilingandpleasedatherlittlespeech.

           IaccompaniedCarmillaasusualtoherroom,andsatandchattedwithherwhileshewaspreparingforbed.

           "Doyouthink,"Isaidatlength,"thatyouwilleverconfidefullyinme?"

           Sheturnedroundsmiling,butmadenoanswer,onlycontinuedtosmileonme.

           "Youwon’tanswerthat?"Isaid."Youcan’tanswerpleasantly;Ioughtnottohaveaskedyou."

           "Youwerequiterighttoaskmethat,oranything.Youdonotknowhowdearyouaretome,oryoucouldnotthinkanyconfidencetoogreattolookfor.ButIamundervows,nonunhalfsoawfully,andIdarenottellmystoryyet,eventoyou.Thetimeisverynearwhenyoushallknoweverything.Youwillthinkmecruel,veryselfish,butloveisalwaysselfish;themoreardentthemoreselfish.HowjealousIamyoucannotknow.Youmustcomewithme,lovingme,todeath;orelsehatemeandstillcomewithme,andhatingmethroughdeathandafter.Thereisnosuchwordasindifferenceinmyapatheticnature."