A Bankrupt Heart, Volume II by Florence Marryat

Such of the villagers of Usk who met Hugh Owen during the few days that succeeded this interview spoke to each other with surprise of the alteration that had taken place in his demeanour. The sober, grave, young minister, who had seldom smiled, and usually appeared too wrapped in his own thoughts to take much part in what went on before him, was now to be seen with a beaming countenance and an animated welcome for all whom he met.

‘Why, farmer,' quoth one worthy to Mr Owen, ‘but what's come to yon lad of yourn, the minister? Is he going to be elected an elder, or is he thinking of getting spliced?'