He got up and stood before her, leaning one hand on the chimney-piece.  “I know I have seen you very little to say this,” he said, “so little that it may make what I say seem disrespectful.  That is my misfortune!  I could have said it the first time I saw you.  Really, I had seen you before; I had seen you in imagination; you seemed almost an old friend.  So what I say is not mere gallantry and compliments and nonsense—­I can’t talk that way, I don’t know how, and I wouldn’t, to you, if I could.  It’s as serious as such words can be.  I feel as if I knew you and knew what a beautiful, admirable woman you are.  I shall know better, perhaps, some day, but I have a general notion now.  You are just the woman I have been looking for, except that you are far more perfect.  I won’t make any protestations and vows, but you can trust me.  It is very soon, I know, to say all this; it is almost offensive.  But why not gain time if one can?  And if you want time to reflect—­of course you do—­the sooner you begin, the better for me.  I don’t know what you think of me; but there is no great mystery about me; you see what I am.  Your brother told me that my antecedents and occupations were against me; that your family stands, somehow, on a higher level than I do.  That is an idea which of course I don’t understand and don’t accept.  But you don’t care anything about that.  I can assure you that I am a very solid fellow, and that if I give my mind to it I can arrange things so that in a very few years I shall not need to waste time in explaining who I am and what I am.  You will decide for yourself whether you like me or not.  What there is you see before you.  I honestly believe I have no hidden vices or nasty tricks.  I am kind, kind, kind!  Everything that a man can give a woman I will give you.  I have a large fortune, a very large fortune; some day, if you will allow me, I will go into details.  If you want brilliancy, everything in the way of brilliancy that money can give you, you shall have.  And as regards anything you may give up, don’t take for granted too much that its place cannot be filled.  Leave that to me; I’ll take care of you; I shall know what you need.  Energy and ingenuity can arrange everything.  I’m a strong man!  There, I have said what I had on my heart!  It was better to get it off.  I am very sorry if it’s disagreeable to you; but think how much better it is that things should be clear.  Don’t answer me now, if you don’t wish it.  Think about it, think about it as slowly as you please.  Of course I haven’t said, I can’t say, half I mean, especially about my admiration for you.  But take a favorable view of me; it will only be just.”