Thus far he had looked upon this unexpected enlargement of feeling as merely a temporary episode, after all; not any thing permanently to affect the predetermined course and conduct of his life.

The idea that it was to round out and perfect his existence--that he was to find his highest happiness in it--had never for a moment occurred to him.

He did not believe it possible that it could coexist with lofty aims and strenuous effort; it was a weakness--a delicious one--but still a weakness, and ultimately to be trampled under foot.
But Cornelia had taken the ground that it was the half of life--not only that, but the better and more desirable half.

For the first time it dawned upon the young man, that he might be obliged to decide between following out the high and ascetic ambition which had guided his life thus far, and abandoning, or at least lowering it, to take in that other part of which Cornelia was the incarnation.

The prospect drove the blood to his heart and left him pale.