His Darling Sin by Mary Elizabeth Braddon

"There's a woman like a dewdrop, she's so purer than the purest; / And her noble heart's the noblest, yes, and her sure faith's the surest: / And this woman says, 'My days were sunless and my nights were moonless, / Parched the pleasant April herbage, and the lark's heart's outbreak tuneless, / If you loved me not! ' And I, who -- (ah, for words of flame! ) adore her! / Who am mad to lay my spirit prostrate palpably before her. "

Lady Perivale's victoria was standing at Miss Rodney's gate, but before she could step into it her path was intercepted by the last person she expected to see at that moment, though he had so recently left her. It was Haldane, who had been pacing the avenue in front of Miss Rodney's windows, and who crossed the road hurriedly as Grace came out of the gate.