'How is it that a woman, who refused me because (as I supposed) my position was not good enough for her taste, is found to be the wife of a man who certainly seems to be worse off than I ?' 'He had the prior claim,' said she.
'What! you knew him at that time ?' 'Yes, yes! Please say no more,' she implored.
'Whatever my errors, I have paid for them during the last five years!' The heart of Darton was subject to sudden overflowings.

He was kind to a fault.

'I am sorry from my soul,' he said, involuntarily approaching her.

Helena withdrew a step or two, at which he became conscious of his movement, and quickly took his former place.

Here he stood without speaking, and the little kettle began to sing.
'Well, you might have been my wife if you had chosen,' he said at last.
'But that's all past and gone.