But it was a great deep wound to his pride, that quality which he had inherited from his father, and had not then completely checked and got in hand.
Pride should be a factor for noble actions and a great spirit, but not for overbearance toward the failings of others.

He knows that now.

If this lady, whom he worships, should ever wish to learn the whole details of this time, he will tell her even at any cost to his pride, but for the moment let me get on to pleasanter things." And Ethelrida whispered, "Yes, yes," so he continued: "All his life from a boy's to a man's, this person we are speaking of had kept his ideal of the woman he should love.

She must be fine and shapely, and noble and free; she must be tender and devoted, and gracious and good.

But he passed all his early manhood and grew to middle age, before he even saw her shadow across his path.