He seemed to think, too, that the bride and groom would probably settle somewhere in the neighborhood.

Again, he felt a greater natural affection for Bressant than for any other young man; what son-in-law, after all, would he have preferred to have?
And there may have been additional considerations equally pleasant in the contemplation.
Sophie was in her element; the loveliness and richness of her character came out like a sweet, sustaining perfume.

In love, all her faculties found their fullest exercise.

There was no doubt nor darkness in her soul.

Without looking upon her lover as an angel, she saw in him the grand possibilities which human nature still possesses, and felt that she might aid them somewhat to develop and flourish.
As for Bressant, originally the least inclined of any of the circle to be pensive and sombre, he now seemed occasionally to contend with shadows of some kind.