[he] looked death in the eye and did not seem disappointed

Contempt is so easy

She needed his gentle hands and quiet tears, his lies and his affection. And so she pretended to believe that he really did need her

You are mine, but you are not mine. I am yours, but you hardly know it. He was not unhappy but he wasn't happy, either

I have no fear nor shrinking; I have seen death so often that it is not strange or fearful to me.

Ansset could clearly hear the fear singing through the back of his brave words. Well, why not? Death was certain now, and Ansset knew of no one, except perhaps…

I'm not scared of dying And I, don't really care If it' s peace you find in dying Well then, let the time be near.