He can not, therefore, know his own ideal of woman; it is, nevertheless--so I presume--this his own unknown ideal that makes a man choose against his choice.

Gladly would Godfrey now have taken Letty to his arms.

It was no longer anything that from boyhood he had vowed rather to die unmarried, and let the land go to a stranger, than marry a widow.

He had to recall every restraining fact of his and her position to prevent him from now precipitating that which he had before too long delayed.

But the gulf of the grave and the jealousy of a mother were between them; for, if he were again to rouse her suspicions, she would certainly get rid of Letty, as she had before intended, so depriving her of a home, and him of opportunity.