But he was too noble and generous to take advantage of her loneliness to press his suit.

He had lived in a part of the country where he had scarcely ever seen a colored person, and around the race their misfortunes had thrown a halo of romance.

To him the negro was a picturesque being, over whose woes he had wept when a child, and whose wrongs he was ready to redress when a man.

But when he saw the lovely girl who had been rescued by the commander of the post from the clutches of slavery, all the manhood and chivalry in his nature arose in her behalf, and he was ready to lay on the altar of her heart his first grand and overmastering love.

Not discouraged by her refusal, but determined to overcome her objections, Dr.Gresham resolved that he would abide his time.
Iola was not indifferent to Dr.Gresham.She admired his manliness and respected his character.