Kate Chopin

“ Wallace Offdean was like one to whom a divinity had revealed his vocation in life, - no less a divinity because it was love. If doubts assailed him of Euphrasie’s consent, they were soon stilled. For had they not spoken over and over to each other the mute and subtile language of reciprocal love – out under the forest trees, and in the quiet night-time on the plantation when the stars shone? ”

“ He decided not fight against his love for Euphrasie. He would not marry her, - certainly not; but he would let himself love her to his heart’s bent, until that love should die a natural death, and not a violent one as he had designed. He abandoned himself completely to his passion, and dreamed of the girl by day and thought of her by night. ”

“ He recalled the glance of her honest, beautiful eyes, that told him things which made his heart beat fast now when he thought of them. And then her voice! Was there another like it when she laughed or when she talked! Was there another woman in the world possessed of so alluring a charm as this one he loved! ”