And in what delightful language she had done so! "Faint heart never won fair lady." It was thus, or almost thus, that she had encouraged him.

He knew well that she had in truth meant nothing more than her words had seemed to signify.

He did not for a moment attribute to her aught else.

But might not he get another lesson from them?
He had often told himself that he was not in love with Laura Standish;--but why should he not how tell himself that he was in love with her?
Of course there would be difficulty.

But was it not the business of his life to overcome difficulties?
Had he not already overcome one difficulty almost as great; and why should he be afraid of this other?
Faint heart never won fair lady! And this fair lady,--for at this moment he was ready to swear that she was very fair,--was already half won.