Perhaps he was unconsciously striving to show at his very best before her, as a man naturally does in the presence of a woman whom he loves.

So brilliantly did he talk that at last they all sat still and listened to him, and they might have been worse employed.
At length supper was done, and Elizabeth retired to her room.

Presently, too, Mr.Granger was called out to christen a sick baby and went grumbling, and they were left alone.

They sat in the window-place and looked out at the quiet night.
"Tell me about yourself," said Beatrice.
So he told her.

He narrated all the steps by which he had reached his present position, and showed her how from it he might rise to the topmost heights of all.