He exercises the right which he believes to be his own, and chooses to retain the prize which he has won." She was now clinging to him in very truth.

"Oh, my love!" she said.
"I do not know how to say it again.

It is of you that I am thinking;--of you, of you!" "I know you are; but you have misunderstood me a little; that's all." "Have I?
Then listen to me again, once more, my heart's own darling, my love, my husband, my lord! If I cannot be to you at once like Ruth, and never cease from coming after you, my thoughts to you shall be like those of Ruth;--if aught but death part thee and me, may God do so to me and more also." Then she fell upon his breast and wept.
He still hardly understood the depth of her character.

He was not himself deep enough to comprehend it all.

But yet he was awed by her great love, and exalted to a certain solemnity of feeling which for the time made him rejoice in his late decision.