“Listen,” she began again; “I have long waited to tell you all this, ever since the time when you sent me that letter⁠—even before that. Half of what I have to say you heard yesterday. I consider you the most honest and upright of men⁠—more honest and upright than any other man; and if anybody says that your mind is⁠—is sometimes affected, you know⁠—it is unfair. I always say so and uphold it, because even if your surface mind be a little affected (of course you will not feel angry with me for talking so⁠—I am speaking from a higher point of view) yet your real mind is far better than all theirs put together. Such a mind as they have never even dreamed of; because really, there are two minds⁠—the kind that matters, and the kind that doesn’t matter. Isn’t it so?”

“May be! may be so!” said the prince, faintly; his heart was beating painfully.