But he had also his more serious moments, and could talk to her of serious matters.

He would read to her, and explain to her things which had hitherto been too hard for her young intelligence.
His voice, too, was pleasant, and well under command.

It could be pathetic if pathos were required, or ring with laughter as merry as her own.

Was not such a man fit to be an Apollo to such a girl, when once the girl had acknowledged to herself that she loved him?
She had acknowledged it to herself, and had acknowledged it to him,--as the reader will perhaps say without much delay.

But the courtship had so been carried on that no delay had been needed.