He never intruded upon her unhappiness.
A studied courtesy, a distant thoughtfulness were his only compliments.
But when he found her gayer, then would he strive with subtle delicacies of manner to make clear the part he desired to play.
The girl saw his kindness and was grateful.

In the revulsion against the Andrews he seemed a link with the more pleasant sides of life, and soon in her despair and anger his modest merits took heroic proportions in her eyes.

She forgot her past dislike; she thought only of this, the simple good man, contrasted with the showy and fickle-hearted--true metal against glittering tinsel.

His very weaknesses seemed homely and venial.

He was of her own world, akin to the things which deep down in her soul she knew she must love to the last.