He met her often, he visited her often.

He was intimate at houses where she attended to teach or perform.

He lent her good books--he advised her--he preached to her.

Alice began to look up to him--to like him--to consider him as a village girl in Catholic countries may consider a benevolent and kindly priest.

And he--what was his object ?--at that time it is impossible to guess:--he became thoughtful and abstracted.
One day an old maid and an old clergyman met in the High Street of C------.
"And how do you do, ma'am ?" said the clergyman; "how is the rheumatism ?" "Better, thank you, sir.