She had not been to the dance.

She had not four suitors.  She had none.

He came toward her.  She rose and stepped back a little.  Ashes had blown upon her, and, oh, the old, old thought of the woman born to be a mother! she was afraid his clothes might get dusty if he came too close.

But to Richard she looked very beautiful; and a strange thing happened:  trembling, he saw that the firelight upon her face was brighter than any firelight he had ever seen.