Marriage is a condition, but love must be an action.

The one is a contract, the other is complete possession, a principle--that is, if it exists at all.

I do not know." She turned the rings round mechanically on her finger; and among them was a wedding-ring! Her voice had become low and abstracted, and now she seemed to have forgotten my presence, and was looking out upon the humming darkness round us, through which now and again there rang a boatswain's whistle, or the loud laugh of Blackburn, telling of a joyous hour in the smoking-room.
I am now about to record an act of madness, of folly, on my part.

I suppose most men have such moments of temptation, but I suppose, also, that they act more sensibly and honourably than I did then.

Her hand had dropped gently on the chair-arm, near to my own, and though our fingers did not touch, I felt mine thrilled and impelled toward hers.