While he preserved his respectful and reserved demeanour towards Claire, he strove assiduously to be something in her life.

True love is ingenious.

He learnt to overcome his timidity, to speak to the well-beloved of his soul, to encourage her to converse with him, to interest her.

He went in quest of all the news, to amuse her.

He read all the new books, and brought to her all that were fit for her to read.
Little by little he succeeded, thanks to the most delicate persistence, in taming this shy young girl.