In this passage from "Checkmate" by Dorothy Dunnett, the speaker expresses a profound warning about the unpredictable power of love. They suggest that one could unexpectedly fall deeply and permanently in love with someone who is perceived as an unlikely or marginalized individual, such as a "warped hunchback" from the gutter.

The quote also highlights a protective concern, implying that the speaker would prevent the loved one from pursuing or involving themselves with such a person. It underscores themes of love's intensity and societal judgments, revealing a tension between the desire for love and the desire to shield loved ones from potential harm or disapproval.