He looked very hard before him as he said this, and his voice was full
of deep feeling.

"Grail!" said Ann Veronica, and then: "Oh, yes--of course! Anything but
a holy one, I'm afraid."

"Altogether holy, Ann Veronica. Ah! but you can't imagine what you are
to me and what you mean to me! I suppose there is something mystical and
wonderful about all women."

"There is something mystical and wonderful about all human beings. I
don't see that men need bank it with the women."

"A man does," said Manning--"a true man, anyhow. And for me there is
only one treasure-house. By Jove! When I think of it I want to leap and
shout!"

"It would astonish that man with the barrow."

"It astonishes me that I don't," said Manning, in a tone of intense
self-enjoyment.

"I think," began Ann Veronica, "that you don't realize--"

He disregarded her entirely. He waved an arm and spoke with a peculiar
resonance. "I feel like a giant! I believe now I shall do great things.
Gods! what it must be to pour out strong, splendid verse--mighty
lines! mighty lines! If I do, Ann Veronica, it will be you. It will be
altogether you. I will dedicate my books to you. I will lay them all at
your feet."