Nor could she remain on the present terms of relation--that, also, was but too clear.

If Ralph were at home, how different everything would be! He would lead her with a word out of this distressing maze.
When Willy Ray parted from Rotha after he had told her of his love, he felt that the sunshine had gone out of his life forever.

He had been living for weeks and months in a paradise that was not his own.

Why he had loved this girl he could hardly say.

She was--every one knew it--the daughter of a poor tailor, and he was the poorest and meanest creature in the country round about.
The young man could not help telling himself that he might have looked to marry the daughter of the largest statesman in a radius of miles.
But then, the girl herself was a noble creature--none could question it.