Wilfrid gazed at her silently; but his face betrayed a deferential fear in its almost timid expression.
"Yes, dear," he said at last, as though he were answering some question; "we are separated by worlds.

I resign myself; I can only adore you.

But what will become of me, poor and alone!" "Wilfrid, you have Minna." He shook his head.
"Do not be so disdainful; woman understands all things through love; what she does not understand she feels; what she does not feel she sees; when she neither sees, nor feels, nor understands, this angel of earth divines to protect you, and hides her protection beneath the grace of love." "Seraphita, am I worthy to belong to a woman ?" "Ah, now," she said, smiling, "you are suddenly very modest; is it a snare?
A woman is always so touched to see her weakness glorified.

Well, come and take tea with me the day after to-morrow evening; good Monsieur Becker will be here, and Minna, the purest and most artless creature I have known on earth.

Leave me now, my friend; I need to make long prayers and expiate my sins." "You, can you commit sin ?" "Poor friend! if we abuse our power, is not that the sin of pride?
I have been very proud to-day.