Her feelings towards that ungodly gentleman were rather of pity than aught else.

A brave, ready-witted man she knew him for, as much from the story of his escape from Worcester as for the air that clung to him despite his swagger, and she deplored that one possessing these ennobling virtues should have fallen notwithstanding upon such evil ways as those which Crispin trod.

Some day, perchance, when she should come to be better acquainted with him, she would seek to induce him to mend his course.
Such root did this thought take in her mind that soon thereafter--and without having waited for that riper acquaintance which at first she had held necessary--she sought to lead their talk into the channels of this delicate subject.

But he as sedulously confined it to trivial matter whenever she approached him in this mood, fencing himself about with a wall of cold reserve that was not lightly to be overthrown.

In this his conscience was at work.