But then, again, the matter had taken no definite or practical shape in his mind as yet, and things which in the abstract may wear an appearance of being highly desirable often put on quite a different look when presented in concrete form.

This would be especially the case with a man like Professor Valeyon, who was half a dreamer, and half a practical, common-sensible individual.

With Sophie, however, whose whole life was necessarily a tissue of delicate and high-wrought theories, there was no safeguard of the kind to be relied upon.
No more conversation was had upon the subject at that time.

The professor went down to his breakfast, and, having disposed of it with good appetite, and smoked his morning-pipe with quiet satisfaction, Michael brought Dolly and the wagon round to the front door, the old gentleman clambered in, and off they rattled to Abbie's boarding-house.
This "Abbie," as she was called in the village--indeed, not more than one in a hundred knew her other name--had long been an institution among the townspeople.

When she first became a resident was uncertain: some said more, some less than twenty years ago.