The Count of Monte Cristo

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"Maximilian!" said Valentine, "Maximilian, come back, I entreat you!" He
drew near with his sweet smile, and but for his paleness one might
have thought him in his usual happy mood. "Listen, my dear, my adored
Valentine," said he in his melodious and grave tone; "those who, like
us, have never had a thought for which we need blush before the world,
such may read each other's hearts. I never was romantic, and am no
melancholy hero. I imitate neither Manfred nor Anthony; but without
words, protestations, or vows, my life has entwined itself with yours;
you leave me, and you are right in doing so,--I repeat it, you are
right; but in losing you, I lose my life.

"The moment you leave me, Valentine, I am alone in the world. My sister
is happily married; her husband is only my brother-in-law, that is, a
man whom the ties of social life alone attach to me; no one then longer
needs my useless life. This is what I shall do; I will wait until the
very moment you are married, for I will not lose the shadow of one of
those unexpected chances which are sometimes reserved for us, since M.