Even thus late, then, the satisfaction of vanity had been granted her--nay, not of vanity alone.
He must be sincere.

What motive could he possibly have for playing a part?
Might it not be true that he was a changed man in certain respects, and that a genuine emotion at length had control of him?
If so, she had only to wait for his next speech with her in private; she could not misjudge a lover's pleading.
The interest would only be that of comedy.

She did not love Everard Barfoot, and saw no likelihood of ever doing so; on the whole, a subject for thankfulness.

Nor could he seriously anticipate an assent to his proposal for a free union; in declaring that legal marriage was out of the question for him, he had removed his love-making to the region of mere ideal sentiment.

But, if he loved her, these theories would sooner or later be swept aside; he would plead with her to become his legal wife.
To that point she desired to bring him.