Now that his love was beyond doubt the old idea recurred to him.

It must be some chivalrous, overstrained scruple about his poverty which came between poor Nell and her happiness.

Standing by the fire, waiting for Nelly, he rubbed his hands together with a return of cheerfulness.
In a few minutes she came gliding in shyly.

That confidence had only been possible in the dark.

The General felt her embarrassment and busied himself in stirring the fire.