But now he felt that he was really of some use to her, that every hour she was learning to turn to him as one turns to one's natural protector; and above all, he had begun to find himself--to understand that there really was a strong, reliable man behind all the tricks of custom which had built up an artificial nature, which had imposed even upon himself.

A little glow of self-respect began to warm his blood.

He had missed his youth when he was young, and now in his middle age it was coming up like some beautiful belated flower.
"I do believe that you are all the time enjoying it, Mr.Stephens," said Sadie with some bitterness.
"I would not go so far as to say that," he answered.

"But I am quite certain that I would not leave you here." It was the nearest approach to tenderness which he had ever put into a speech, and the girl looked at him in surprise.
"I think I've been a very wicked girl all my life," she said after a pause.

"Because I have had a good time myself, I never thought of those who were unhappy.