"Deep." "And yet somehow it isn't abject." The old man wondered.

"'Abject' ?" "I mean it isn't pitiful.

In its way," Mitchy developed, "it's happy." This too, though rather ruefully, Mr.Longdon could take from him.
"Yes--in its way." "Any passion so great, so complete," Mitchy went on, "is--satisfied or unsatisfied--a life." Mr.Longdon looked so interested that his fellow visitor, evidently stirred by what was now an appeal and a dependence, grew still more bland, or at least more assured, for affirmation.

"She's not TOO sorry for herself." "Ah she's so proud!" "Yes, but that's a help." "Oh--not for US!" It arrested Mitchy, but his ingenuity could only rebound.

"In ONE way: that of reducing us to feel that the desire to 'make up' to her is--well, mainly for OUR relief.