The Count of Monte Cristo

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"Oh, Valentine, he asks if I love him. Valentine, tell him if you love
Maximilian." The count felt his heart dilate and throb; he opened his
arms, and Haidee, uttering a cry, sprang into them. "Oh, yes," she
cried, "I do love you! I love you as one loves a father, brother,
husband! I love you as my life, for you are the best, the noblest of
created beings!"

"Let it be, then, as you wish, sweet angel; God has sustained me in my
struggle with my enemies, and has given me this reward; he will not let
me end my triumph in suffering; I wished to punish myself, but he has
pardoned me. Love me then, Haidee! Who knows? perhaps your love will
make me forget all that I do not wish to remember."

"What do you mean, my lord?"

"I mean that one word from you has enlightened me more than twenty years
of slow experience; I have but you in the world, Haidee; through you