Nor was it only his powerful animation, generosity, and grace that won them.
There occurred when I was a little past twenty, already much in his confidence, one of those strange crucial events which try a man publicly, and bring out whatever can be said for and against him.

A young Welsh heiress fell in love with him.

She was, I think, seven or eight months younger than myself, a handsome, intelligent, high-spirited girl, rather wanting in polish, and perhaps in the protecting sense of decorum.

She was well-born, of course--she was Welsh.

She was really well-bred too, though somewhat brusque.