It seemed to be almost the pride of possession and ownership.

"My girl!" The expression and the tone in which the words were spoken sounded as if he had said: "My fine horse," "My beautiful Hall," or "My grand estates." Dorothy was his property.

Still, he loved the girl passionately.

She was dearer to him than all his horses, cattle, halls, and estates put together, and he loved even them to excess.

He loved all that he possessed; whatever was his was the best of the sort.