"It probably applies to me as much as to the young girl, but there was really nothing between us which bore the most distant resemblance to a love intrigue.

As a magistrate, I acquitted her of a trivial misdemeanour which she committed while my wedding procession was on its way to the altar.

I did this because I was unwilling to have that happy hour become a source of pain to any one.

In return, she grew deeply attached to me, who can tell whether from mere gratitude, or because a warmer feeling stirred her strange heart?
At that time she was certainly a pretty, dainty creature, and yet, as truly as I hope to enjoy the love of my darling wife for many a year, there was nothing, absolutely nothing, between me and the blue-eyed, dark-haired wanderer which the confessor might not have witnessed.
I myself wonder at this, because I by no means failed to see the ropedancer's peculiar changeful charms, and the tempter pointed them out to me zealously enough.

Besides, she has no ordinary nature.