Now, however, Rachel's society was beginning to have more influence over him.

It was no longer the comfort of Sandsgaard which attracted him--of that he was quite certain; neither had he any feeling for the young lady except interest, a deep, earnest interest, after all the stirring impressions he had received through her.

She had a wonderful power over him.

Her words seemed to shed a ray of light over much which he had hitherto overlooked.

He had, like the rest of us, the germs of doubt in his heart, and he was still so young and fresh that his aspirations were but loosely covered, and had not yet had time to wither entirely in his heart.