"Well, Charmian?"
"She never was—and never will be—buxom, or strapping—will she? 'buxom' is such a—hateful word, Peter! And you—love her?—wait, Peter—as much as ever you loved Charmian Brown?"
"Yes," said I; "yes—"
"And—nearly as much as—your dream woman?"
"More—much more, because you are the embodiment of all my dreams—you always will be Charmian. Because I honor you for your intellect; and worship you for your gentleness, and spotless purity; and love you with all my strength for your warm, sweet womanhood; and because you are so strong, and beautiful, and proud—"
"And because, Peter, because I am—just—your loving—Humble Person."
And thus it was I went forth a fool, and toiled and suffered and loved, and, in the end, got me some little wisdom.
And thus did I, all unworthy as I am, win the heart of a noble woman whose love I pray will endure, even as mine will, when we shall have journeyed to the end of this Broad Highway, which is Life, and into the mystery of the Beyond.