He felt something which was more than love, being purely unselfish, with as yet no desire of possession.

"Here is a good, true woman," he said to himself.

"Here is a good, true woman, who has blossomed from a good, true child." He saw a wonderful faithfulness shining in her blue eyes, he saw truth itself on her lips, and could have gone down at the feet of the little girl in the pink cotton frock.

Going home he tried to laugh at himself, but could not succeed.

It is easy to shake off the clasp of a hand of flesh, but not the clasp of another soul.
Ellen on her part was at once overwhelmed with delight and confusion.