I was happier there than I have ever been in my life before." "Eh, Gil!" cried John Saltram; "that means something more than a quiet fortnight with a married sister.

Come, old fellow, I have a vested right to a share in all your secrets." "There is no secret, Jack.

Yes, I have fallen in love, if that's what you mean, and am engaged." "So soon! That's rather quick work, isn't it, dear boy ?" "I don't think so.

What is that the poet says?
--'If not an Adam at his birth, he is no love at all.' My passion sprang into life full-grown after an hour's contemplation of a beautiful face in Lidford church." "Who is the lady ?" "O, her position is not worth speaking of.

She is the adopted niece of a half-pay captain--an orphan, without money or connections." "Humph!" muttered John Saltram with the privileged candour of friendship; "not a very advantageous match for you, Gilbert, from a worldly point of view." "I have not considered the matter from that point of view." "And the lady is all that is charming, of course ?" "To my mind, yes." "Very young ?" "Nineteen." "Well, dear old follow, I wish you joy with all heartiness.