Bressant spoke with an almost fierce sincerity and earnestness of conviction, that quite overbore the shield of playful incredulity which woman instinctively raises on such occasions; they seemed to have crossed, at one step, the pale of conventionalities; and, sweet and alluring as the outer wilderness may be, it is wilderness still, and full of sudden precipices.

Besides, the very energy and impetuosity which the young man showed, suggested the apprehension that the power of his newly-awakened emotions was greater than his ability to control and manage them.
But beauty, as he understood it, was something of deeper and wider significance than that generally accepted.

It was all, in mankind and nature, that appeals to and gratifies the senses and sensuous emotions.
Cornelia had been the door through which he had passed into a consciousness of its existence; the fragrant pass leading to the mighty valley.

Unfortunately neither he nor she was in a position to comprehend this fact: she was no metaphysical casuist, and never imagined but that he would find the end, as well as the beginning of his newly-opened world in her; and he, dizzied by the tumult and novelty of the vision, was naturally disposed to attribute most value and importance to the only element in it of which he had as yet taken any real and definite cognizance.
"What a strange, one-sided life you must have had!" Cornelia remarked, after they had walked a little way in silence.

"Don't you think you'll be happier for having found the other side out ?" Bressant started, and did not immediately reply.