He felt at times so removed from her by the great gulf which her genius all unconsciously seemed to create between herself and him that he doubted his own memories of her love, and needed to be reassured by gazing into her eyes, touching her hand, and listening to her voice.

It seemed to him that, if this separation lasted much longer, he should lose all faith in the fact of their relation.

Very impatient thoughts of poor old Mrs.Carr filled Stephen's thoughts in these days.
Heretofore she had been no barrier to his happiness; her still and childlike presence was no restraint upon him; he had come to disregard it as he would the presence of an infant in a cradle.

Therefore, he had, or thought he had, the kindest of feelings towards her; but now that her helpless paralyzed hands had the power to shut him away from Mercy, he hated her, as he had always hated every thing which stood between him and delight.

Yet, had it been his duty to minister to her, he would have done it as gently, as faithfully, as Mercy herself.