He could hardly understand the nature of his feelings while discoursing with her.

To all others of her sex he had declared his enamored wishes with as much ease as vivacity, but when he looked on Helen the admiration her loveliness inspired was checked by an indescribable awe.

No word of passion escaped his lips; he sought to win her by a deportment consonant with her own dignity of manner, and obeyed all her wishes, excepting when they pointed to any communication with her parents.

He feared the wary eyes of the Earl of Mar.

But nothing of this reverence of Helen was grounded on any principle within the heart of De Valence.