He could think of nothing but this young girl, whose beauty had bewitched him, and to whose courage and presence of mind he owed his life.

He had sworn to himself--and there was no necessity to repeat it--that he meant her no harm.

Indeed, it would not be less than she deserved to ask her to be his wife.

Perhaps, if this mine, in which her father had a share, should turn out well, she would not be so bad a match, even in point of money; but to this he did not attach much importance.

He was indulging in a dream, which he fondly imagined was unselfish and honorable to himself in a high degree.