When the mother entered, so much were they interested in each other, that they did not hear her approaching footstep.

She surprised them leaning toward each other in earnest conversation.
The joy of the mother's heart was great on meeting her son.

He was wonderfully improved since she last saw him--had grown several inches, and had about him the air of one born of gentle blood, rather than the air of a peasant.

Nina staid only a very short time after Blanche returned, and then hurried away from the cottage.
The brief interview held with young Pierre sealed the maiden's fate.
She knew nothing of love before the beautiful youth stood before her--her heart was as pure as an infant's--she was artlessness itself.

She had heard him so often spoken of by his mother, that she had learned to think of Pierre as the kindest and best of youths.
She saw him, for the first time, as one to love.