And through all his perplexity and pain there shot a thrill of joy, of triumph even, sharp and wonderful.

He understood.

All this might have been his--this delicate beauty, this quick will, this rare intelligence--and yet the surrender in her aspect was not the simple surrender of love; he knew before she spoke that she did not pretend to ignore the obstacles between them; that she was not going to throw herself upon his renunciation, trying vehemently to break it down, in a mere blind girlish impulsiveness.

He realised at once her heart, and her common sense; and was grateful to her for both.
Gently she drew herself away, drawing a long breath.

"My mother and brother would not decide those things for me--oh, _never_!--I should decide them for myself.