I cared most about the purse itself, because it was given me.

Indeed, money is of little more use at Hintock than on Crusoe's island; there's hardly any way of spending it." They had given up the search when Fitzpiers discerned something by his foot.

"Here it is," he said, "so that your father, mother, friend, or ADMIRER will not have his or her feelings hurt by a sense of your negligence after all." "Oh, he knows nothing of what I do now." "The admirer ?" said Fitzpiers, slyly.
"I don't know if you would call him that," said Grace, with simplicity.
"The admirer is a superficial, conditional creature, and this person is quite different." "He has all the cardinal virtues." "Perhaps--though I don't know them precisely." "You unconsciously practise them, Miss Melbury, which is better.
According to Schleiermacher they are Self-control, Perseverance, Wisdom, and Love; and his is the best list that I know." "I am afraid poor--" She was going to say that she feared Winterborne--the giver of the purse years before--had not much perseverance, though he had all the other three; but she determined to go no further in this direction, and was silent.
These half-revelations made a perceptible difference in Fitzpiers.

His sense of personal superiority wasted away, and Grace assumed in his eyes the true aspect of a mistress in her lover's regard.
"Miss Melbury," he said, suddenly, "I divine that this virtuous man you mention has been refused by you ?" She could do no otherwise than admit it.
"I do not inquire without good reason.

God forbid that I should kneel in another's place at any shrine unfairly.