Thus, by degrees, favoured with such ample opportunity, a strong affection had sprung up between these two young people, although as yet they were not affianced, nor indeed had either of them said a word of open love to the other.
This abstinence may seem strange, but some explanation of their self-restraint was to be found in Dirk's character.

In mind he was patient, very deliberate in forming his purposes, and very sure in carrying them out.

He felt impulses like other men, but he did not give way to them.

For two years or more he had loved Lysbeth, but being somewhat slow at reading the ways of women he was not quite certain that she loved him, and above everything on earth he dreaded a rebuff.
Moreover he knew her to be an heiress, and as his own means were still humble, and his expectations from his father small, he did not feel justified in asking her in marriage until his position was more assured.
Had the Captain Carolus still been living the case would have been different, for then he could have gone to him.

But he was dead, and Dirk's fine and sensitive nature recoiled from the thought that it might be said of him that he had taken advantage of the inexperience of a kinswoman in order to win her fortune.