She loved him much, and admired him even more than she loved him.

He was noble, generous, clever, good,--so good as to be almost perfect; nay, for aught she knew he was perfect.

Would that he had some faults! Would that he had! Would that he had! How could she, full of faults as she knew herself to be,--how could she hope to make happy a man perfect as he was! But then there would be no doubt as to her present duty.

She loved him, and that was everything.

Having told him that she loved him, and having on that score accepted his love, nothing but a change in her heart towards him could justify her in seeking to break the bond which bound them together.