Did not her own broken heart and shattered
hopes supply the fuel? Instead of brooding apart over some misfortune
that would have crushed most natures, was she not seeking to make
her life an altar on which she laid as a gift to others the best
treasures of her woman's soul?
The more closely he studied her character, and the controlling
impulses of her life, the more sincere became his admiration,
and the deeper his reverence. He felt with truth that she WAS of
different and finer clay from himself.
So strong was this impression, that the thought occurred to him that
in this and kindred reasons might be found the explanation of the
peculiar regard he felt for her. He had virtually offered himself,
and would again if he could find the opportunity. If he were sure
the he would win her, he would exult as one might who had secured
the revenue of a kingdom, the purest and largest gem in the world, or
some other possession that was unique and priceless. The whole of
his strong intellectual nature would be jubilant over the great
success of his life. He was also conscious that some of the
deepest feelings of his soul were interested. She was becoming
like a religion to him, and he imagined that his regard for her
was somewhat akin to that of a devout Catholic for a patron saint.
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