I found her, as I thought, lovelier and sweeter than ever.

She seemed to feel more than ever that I was of some use and value to her--she made me believe that, next to her mother, she loved me best in the world.

I delayed asking her to be my wife, only because our days were so happy, that I feared to disturb them--but I thought she was certainly mine.
"Then, all at once, this man, this Percy, who had left her in her trouble--who was married--made his appearance, and I knew that she had loved him all the while--that she had never cared for me!" Long ago, Lucia had clasped her hands before her face.

She sat trembling and cowering before this accuser.

Involuntarily she said in her heart, "This is the true love.