All that was grave and earnest in his nature gave force to this his first love.

He had had flirtations in the past, of course; but they had been no more than flirtations, and at thirty his heart was as fresh and inexperienced as a boy's.

It pleased him to think of Marian's lonely position.

Better, a hundred times better, that she should be thus, than fettered by ties which might come between them and perfect union.

The faithful and generous protector of her childhood would of necessity always claim her love; but beyond this one affection, she would be Gilbert's, and Gilbert's only.