It was to him as if he saw the true inner self of the girl, which he had dimly known by half-revealings but had never truly seen before.

For a minute it was not Madelon Hautville in flesh and blood who stood before him, but the ghost of her, made evident by her love for him; and his very heart seemed to melt within him with shame and wonder and worship.
"Oh, Madelon!" he gasped out, at length.
But Madelon turned away then.

"You must go home now," said she, "and I must.

Good-night, Burr." "Good-night," said Burr, as if he repeated it at her bidding.
Then they passed without touching each other.

Madelon went home down the lane, across the fields, and Burr went out in the silent street, whence all the wedding-guests had departed, and homeward also..