In his recollection, she was a slight, pale, shy little girl, fond of keeping in corners with a book, and seemingly marked out for a life of dissenting piety and provincial surroundings.

She had interested him little in those days, and seldom did anything to bring herself under his notice.

He last saw her when she was about twelve.

Now he found himself in the presence of a beautiful woman, every line of whose countenance told of instruction, thought, spirit; whose bearing was refined beyond anything he had yet understood by that word; whose modest revival of old acquaintance made his hand thrill at her touch, and his heart beat confusedly as he looked into her eyes.

With difficulty he constrained himself to common social necessities, and made show of conversing with the elder ladies.