I know there are objections, but no marriage is in every way perfect.

I feel so sure of his character--I mean of his character in a worldly sense.
And you might do so much to--to show him the true way, might you not, darling?
I'm sure his heart is good.' Mrs.Waltham also was speaking with less confidence than on former occasions.

She cast side glances at her daughter's colourless face.
'Mother, may I marry without feeling that--that I love him ?' The face was flushed now for a moment.

Adela had never spoken that word to anyone; even to Letty she had scarcely murmured it.

The effect upon her of hearing it from her own lips was mysterious, awful; the sound did not die with her voice, but trembled in subtle harmonies along the chords of her being.
Her mother took the shaken form and drew it to her bosom.
'If he is your husband, darling, you will find that love grows.