That made no difference.
The truth was--it sounds romantic, but is really scientific, all romance being, perhaps, based on science--that Edith's appearance corresponded in every particular with an ideal that had grown up with him.

Whether he had seen some picture as a child that had left a vague and lasting impression, or whatever the reason was, the moment he saw her he felt, with a curious mental sensation, as of something that fell into its place with a click ('Ca y est!'), that she realised some half-forgotten dream.

In fact, it was a rare and genuine case of _coup de foudre_.

Had she been a girl he would have proposed to her the next day, and they might quite possibly have married in a month, and lived happily ever after.

These things occasionally happen.