The Count of Monte Cristo

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"dear Valentine, you must not speak thus--rather let me die. Why
should I obtain you by violence, if our love is mutual? Is it from mere
humanity you bid me live? I would then rather die."

"Truly," murmured Valentine, "who on this earth cares for me, if he does
not? Who has consoled me in my sorrow but he? On whom do my hopes rest?
On whom does my bleeding heart repose? On him, on him, always on him!
Yes, you are right, Maximilian, I will follow you. I will leave the
paternal home, I will give up all. Oh, ungrateful girl that I am," cried
Valentine, sobbing, "I will give up all, even my dear old grandfather,
whom I had nearly forgotten."

"No," said Maximilian, "you shall not leave him. M. Noirtier has
evinced, you say, a kind feeling towards me. Well, before you leave,
tell him all; his consent would be your justification in God's sight. As
soon as we are married, he shall come and live with us, instead of one
child, he shall have two. You have told me how you talk to him and