We are so conscious of our own merits, we are so eager to have them appreciated, that we will exaggerate or misinterpret any word or look, especially from a person of the opposite sex, into a tribute to them.

When Craig pleaded for Grant and Margaret, moved by his eloquent sincerity, dropped her eyes and colored in shame for her plans about him, in such black contrast with his frank generosity, he noted her change of expression, and instantly his vanity flashed into his mind: "Can it be that she loves me ?" The more he reflected upon it the clearer it became to him that she did.
Yes, here was being repeated the old story of the attraction of extremes.

"She isn't so refined that appreciation of real manhood has been refined out of her," thought he.

"And why shouldn't she love me?
What does all this nonsense of family and breeding amount to, anyway ?" His mind was in great confusion.

At one moment he was dismissing the idea of such delicateness, such super-refined super-sensitiveness being taken with a man of his imperfect bringing-up and humble origin.