I have lived the loneliest life a mortal man ever lived.

Until I saw you, Mercy, I had never even looked on the face of a woman whom it seemed possible to me that any man could love.

Perhaps, when I tell you that, you can imagine what it was to me to look on the face of a woman whom it seems to me no man could help loving.

I suppose many men have loved you, Mercy, and many more men will.

I do not think any man has ever felt for you, or ever will feel for you, as I feel.