There must be no obstacle between them which shocks his sense of right, or which, if known by the woman, would shock hers.

Were the affection indulged in, in spite of such an obstacle, its fine quality would be injured, no matter how great its intensity; and, instead of a moral blessing, it would become a moral curse.

An exquisite expression of the necessity of this personal sense of rightness may be read into the well-known lines, _I could not love thee, dear, so well, Loved I not honour more._ Nor shall we look on _honour_ here as having reference only to external acts and conditions.

It has reference equally, if not more, to the inward state of the heart.

The man must be conscious not only that he is loving the right woman, but that he is loving her in the right way.