What meaning had these but one?
What did she know of his vow?
Why should she dream of anything save the happy ending of the story that flits before the half-averted eyes of a girl when she is with her lover?
Even if she had heard of his vow, would they not all tell her it was a conceit of youth, a spiritual affectation, a thing that a wise counselor would tell him and her quietly to set aside?
Did it not all point to this?
He was not only a perjurer toward Heaven, but his sin had brought woe and pain to her he loved.
So he groaned in renewed self-condemnation.

But what did that mean?
And then an irresistible tide of triumph swept over him, obliterating shame and horror and remorse.

She loved him.

He had won.

Be it good or evil, she was his! Who forbade his joy?
Though all the world, aye, and all Heaven, were against him, nothing should stop him.