He had the most to do with bringing her up , for Miss Sara consulted him in everything . Marcella was not hard to manage for the most part ; but she had a will of her own , and when she did set it up in opposition to the powers that were , nobody but the doctor could influence her at all ; she never resisted him or disobeyed his wishes . Marcella was one of those girls who develop early . I suppose her constant association with us elderly folks had something to do with it , too . But , at fifteen , she was a woman , loving , beautiful , and spirited . And Doctor John loved her -- loved the woman , not the child . I knew it before he did -- but not , as I think , before Marcella did , for those young , straight-gazing eyes of hers were wonderfully quick to read into other people 's hearts . I watched them together and saw the love growing between them , like a strong , fair , perfect flower , whose fragrance was to endure for eternity . Miss Sara saw it , too , and was half-pleased and half-worried ; even Miss Sara thought the Doctor too old for Marcella ; and besides , there were the Barrys to be reckoned with . Those Barrys were the nightmare dread of poor Miss Sara 's life . The time came when Doctor John 's eyes were opened . He looked into his own heart and read there what life had written for him . As he told me long afterwards , it came to him with a shock that left him white-lipped . But he was a brave , sensible fellow and he looked the matter squarely in the face . First of all , he put away to one side all that the world might say ; the thing concerned solely him and Marcella , and the world had nothing to do with it . That disposed of , he asked himself soberly if he had a right to try to win Marcella 's love . He decided that he had not ; it would be taking an unfair advantage of her youth and inexperience . He knew that she must soon go to her father 's people -- she must not go bound by any ties of his making . Doctor John , for Marcella 's sake , gave the decision against his own heart . So much did Doctor John tell me , his old friend and confidant .
I said nothing and gave no advice , not having lived seventy-five years XXXXX nothing .
As at before besides between by for in of that