Had she more to give him?
She scarcely knew herself as yet; and still, as she revolved the matter in her mind, she felt more and more convinced that without Anthony Dalaber her life would be colourless and cold.
His eagerness brought an element into it which she could not well spare.

He was becoming a sort of necessity to her.

She thought of him almost constantly, yearned over him, desired above all things to see him rise to the level of greatness in any trial which might come upon him.

If that were love, then surely she loved him.
The thought was not without a mingling of sweetness and pain.

She put it from her for the time being; but when the day was over, and the sisters were alone together in their bed chamber, taking off their finery and brushing out their long tresses of hair, it was Magdalen's own words that brought the matter back, as she softly kissed her sister, whispering: "How Anthony loves you, Freda!" "I truly think he does, Magda," answered she, taking her sister's hands and leaning her brow against them.