Nell was in truth a charming creature; her new mode of existence added to her beauty, for these were no doubt the first happy days of her life, and her heart was full of gratitude towards those to whom she owed them.

Madge felt towards her as a mother would; the old woman doted upon her; in short, she was beloved by everybody.

Jack Ryan only regretted one thing, which was that he had not saved her himself.
Friend Jack often came to the cottage.

He sang, and Nell, who had never heard singing before, admired it greatly; but anyone might see that she preferred to Jack's songs the graver conversation of Harry, from whom by degrees she learnt truths concerning the outer world, of which hitherto she had known nothing.
It must be said that, since Nell had appeared in her own person, Jack Ryan had been obliged to admit that his belief in hobgoblins was in a measure weakened.

A couple of months later his credulity experienced a further shock.