In this excerpt from "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov, Humbert Humbert expresses his longing for a future where his beloved would choose to live with him. Despite his imperfect English, he pleads for even a small sliver of hope that this dream could materialize one day. His heartfelt desire is encapsulated in his wish to create a new deity to express his gratitude if she were to grant him that hope.

However, the response he receives is definitive; she smiles and firmly declines his invitation. This rejection underscores the profound impact her acceptance would have had on Humbert's life. His statement, "It would have made all the difference," reveals the depth of his yearning and the emotional turmoil he experiences, highlighting the theme of unattainable desire that permeates the narrative.