He did respect her character: a character angular as her features were, and similarly harmonious, splendid in action.
Respect seems a coolish form of tribute from a man who admires.

He had to say that he did not vastly respect beautiful women.

Have they all the poetry?
Know them well, and where is it?
The pupil of Gower Woodseer asked himself to specify the poetry of woman.

She is weak and inferior, but she has it; civilized men acknowledge it; and it is independent, or may be beside her gift of beauty.

She has more of it than we have.