He had not an easily aroused temperament, and a veil which stimulated his imagination and aroused his searching instinct was really essential if he were to fall in love.

He had fallen in love before, he had supposed, although he had never asked one of the fair ones to marry him.

Now he began to call up various faces and wonder if this were not the first time.

All the faces seemed to dim before this present one.

He realized something in her very dear and precious, and for the first time he felt as if he could not forego possession.