A man thinks for a long time about everything that most attracts him and then, on a sudden, he sees it all before him, quite real and alive, and then he says he has realised his ideal.

But you liked the verses, Mrs.Goddard ?" he added quickly, hoping to bring back the smile that had vanished from her face.

He had a strong impression that he had been a little too familiar.

Probably Mrs.Goddard thought so too.
"Oh yes, I think they are very nice," she answered.

But the smile did not come back.