And with the true delicacy of frankness she admits that even the sense of her own unworthiness is not the insuperable obstacle.

No--but is she not a confirmed invalid?
She thought that she had done living when he came and sought her out.

If he would be wise, all these thoughts of her must be abandoned.

Such an answer brought a great calm to Browning's heart; he did not desire to press her further; let things rest; it is for her to judge; if what she regards as an obstacle should be removed, she will certainly then act in his best interests; to himself this matter of health creates no difficulty; to sit by her for an hour a day, to write out what was in him for the world, and so to save his soul, would be to attain his ideal in life.

What woman would not be moved to the inmost depths by such words?
She insists that his noble extravagances must in no wise bind him; but all the bitternesses of life have been taken away from her; henceforth she is his for everything except to do him harm; the future rests with God and with him.