--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For the first time, he allowed himself to…" description: "\"“For the first time, he allowed himself to think of the day when they might part, of what would come of her. He could not imagine a day without hearing..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0f/elizabeth-elliott-25805_betrothed_for-the-first-time-he-allowed-himself-to_865740.jpg" --- # For the first time, he allowed himself to think of the day… ![“For the first time, he allowed himself to think of the day when they might part, of what would come of her. He could not imagine a day without hearing the soft, sultry sound of her voice, of smelling roses and finding himself completely distracted by her scent, by the gentle sway of her hips, the…” quote by Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0f/elizabeth-elliott-25805_betrothed_for-the-first-time-he-allowed-himself-to_865740.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0f/elizabeth-elliott-25805_betrothed_for-the-first-time-he-allowed-himself-to_865740.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0f/elizabeth-elliott-25805_betrothed_for-the-first-time-he-allowed-himself-to_865740.jpg) > ““For the first time, he allowed himself to think of the day when they might part, of what would come of her. He could not imagine a day without hearing the soft, sultry sound of her voice, of smelling roses and finding himself completely distracted by her scent, by the gentle sway of her hips, the soft brush of her hair against his skin. Her smiles alone were worth a king's ransom. He would send her into a world where a hundred men would be eager to snatch up what he had tossed away so carelessly. They would not care if she ever smiled. Aye, he knew what would become of her. But what would become of him?”” [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He is torn between desire and duty, fearing loss of both love and self. **In simple terms:** Love and duty clash, causing inner turmoil. Key Takeaway Balance personal longing with responsibility. Themes love duty conflict identity attachment Mood romantic tragic contemplative Type emotional philosophical When to use this quote - marriage counseling - career decisions - personal growth - artistic creation Key Concepts philosophy psychology relationships Questions to Reflect On - What would you sacrifice for love? - How do you reconcile personal desire with obligations? A Different Perspective Assumes love can be quantified like a ransom. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Betrothed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/betrothed/) [Elizabeth-elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elizabeth-elliott/) [Roses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roses/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“She looked again at Fitz Alan. He was bent over with his hands in the water as if to wash them, but he looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/she-looked-again-at-fitz-alan-he-was-bent-over-with-his-hands-in-the/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“Aye, Claudia. You are mine, and I protect what is mine. Our children will never know the fear you have lived with all these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/aye-claudia-you-are-mine-and-i-protect-what-is-mine-our-children-will/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“Claudia was either unaware of her expression, or didn't care that he knew of her interest in his nakedness. Once he had hoped to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/claudia-was-either-unaware-of-her-expression-or-didn-t-care-that-he/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“I must leave you, Claudia. 'Tis unlikely we will have another opportunity to speak alone again before tomorrow." His lips brushed against hers in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/i-must-leave-you-claudia-tis-unlikely-we-will-have-another/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“I like to touch you," Claudia said, in her soft, sultry voice. "There are times when I want so badly to touch you that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/i-like-to-touch-you-claudia-said-in-her-soft-sultry-voice-there-are/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“He watched her watch him, a little surprised that she didn't seem distracted by the noisy procession. She held her hands clasped at her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/he-watched-her-watch-him-a-little-surprised-that-she-didn-t-seem/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“A good hunter did not rush into a den of lions unprepared, and Dante was a very good hunter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/a-good-hunter-did-not-rush-into-a-den-of-lions-unprepared-and-dante/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“He leaned toward her father. “ ’Tis true, I am a murderer, a liar, and a thief. ’Tis equally true that I will use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/he-leaned-toward-her-father-tis-true-i-am-a-murderer-a-liar-and-a/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“That small caress, such a simple show of affection, unleashed something coiled deep within Kenric. In that moment he finally understood what drove men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/that-small-caress-such-a-simple-show-of-affection-unleashed-something/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“Mordecai allowed a smile to play across his face. “I have little doubt this ploy will try your patience. You must present Sir Percival…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/mordecai-allowed-a-smile-to-play-across-his-face-i-have-little-doubt/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“Her smile turned to one of joy and something he could not quite define. “You really do love me.” “I do.” He couldn’t help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/her-smile-turned-to-one-of-joy-and-something-he-could-not-quite/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“There is also the fact that red and gold are my colors,” he went on. “They are the colors on my family’s banners and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/there-is-also-the-fact-that-red-and-gold-are-my-colors-he-went-on/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“He didn't go down to dinner at all that night, didn't eat, didn't drink, simply thought of his wife, trying to decide what to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/he-didn-t-go-down-to-dinner-at-all-that-night-didn-t-eat-didn-t-drink/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“Please," she whispered, her tears flowing unchecked. "Tell me what to say and I will say it gladly. If I have hurt your pride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/please-she-whispered-her-tears-flowing-unchecked-tell-me-what-to-say/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“His expression was suddenly serious as the tip of his finger traced her lips. “I never understood why history is filled with stories of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/his-expression-was-suddenly-serious-as-the-tip-of-his-finger-traced/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) ## More by Elizabeth Elliott > [“She looked again at Fitz Alan. He was bent over with his hands in the water as if to wash them, but he looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/she-looked-again-at-fitz-alan-he-was-bent-over-with-his-hands-in-the/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“He watched her watch him, a little surprised that she didn't seem distracted by the noisy procession. She held her hands clasped at her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/he-watched-her-watch-him-a-little-surprised-that-she-didn-t-seem/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“He didn't go down to dinner at all that night, didn't eat, didn't drink, simply thought of his wife, trying to decide what to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/he-didn-t-go-down-to-dinner-at-all-that-night-didn-t-eat-didn-t-drink/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“Please," she whispered, her tears flowing unchecked. "Tell me what to say and I will say it gladly. If I have hurt your pride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/please-she-whispered-her-tears-flowing-unchecked-tell-me-what-to-say/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“A good hunter did not rush into a den of lions unprepared, and Dante was a very good hunter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/a-good-hunter-did-not-rush-into-a-den-of-lions-unprepared-and-dante/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“I like to touch you," Claudia said, in her soft, sultry voice. "There are times when I want so badly to touch you that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/i-like-to-touch-you-claudia-said-in-her-soft-sultry-voice-there-are/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“...years since have proved to me over and over again that the heart set to do the Father’s will need never fear defeat. His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/years-since-have-proved-to-me-over-and-over-again-that-the-heart-set/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“I must leave you, Claudia. 'Tis unlikely we will have another opportunity to speak alone again before tomorrow." His lips brushed against hers in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/i-must-leave-you-claudia-tis-unlikely-we-will-have-another/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“His expression was suddenly serious as the tip of his finger traced her lips. “I never understood why history is filled with stories of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/his-expression-was-suddenly-serious-as-the-tip-of-his-finger-traced/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“There is also the fact that red and gold are my colors,” he went on. “They are the colors on my family’s banners and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/there-is-also-the-fact-that-red-and-gold-are-my-colors-he-went-on/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“Her smile turned to one of joy and something he could not quite define. “You really do love me.” “I do.” He couldn’t help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/her-smile-turned-to-one-of-joy-and-something-he-could-not-quite/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“Mordecai allowed a smile to play across his face. “I have little doubt this ploy will try your patience. You must present Sir Percival…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/mordecai-allowed-a-smile-to-play-across-his-face-i-have-little-doubt/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“Saral came one day with a idea for drawing the women to hear the Gospel. She would teach them to knit with some pink…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/saral-came-one-day-with-a-idea-for-drawing-the-women-to-hear-the/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“Aye, Claudia. You are mine, and I protect what is mine. Our children will never know the fear you have lived with all these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/aye-claudia-you-are-mine-and-i-protect-what-is-mine-our-children-will/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“That small caress, such a simple show of affection, unleashed something coiled deep within Kenric. In that moment he finally understood what drove men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/that-small-caress-such-a-simple-show-of-affection-unleashed-something/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) [Explore all 22 Elizabeth Elliott quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) ## More Betrothed quotes > [“She looked again at Fitz Alan. He was bent over with his hands in the water as if to wash them, but he looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/she-looked-again-at-fitz-alan-he-was-bent-over-with-his-hands-in-the/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [I was irrevocably betrothed to laughter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-ustinov/i-was-irrevocably-betrothed-to-laughter/) [Peter Ustinov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-ustinov/) > [“He watched her watch him, a little surprised that she didn't seem distracted by the noisy procession. She held her hands clasped at her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/he-watched-her-watch-him-a-little-surprised-that-she-didn-t-seem/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“I imagined an impulsive Robert taking Henrietta's hands and proclaiming, "I love your sister dearly. Madly. We are betrothed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-moser/i-imagined-an-impulsive-robert-taking-henrietta-s-hands-and/) [Nancy Moser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-moser/) > [“I like to touch you," Claudia said, in her soft, sultry voice. "There are times when I want so badly to touch you that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/i-like-to-touch-you-claudia-said-in-her-soft-sultry-voice-there-are/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“All right, now that the weirdness between us has caused actual physical damage, I think it’s time we talked it out, don’t you?” He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawkins/all-right-now-that-the-weirdness-between-us-has-caused-actual/) [Rachel Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawkins/) > [“no more stolen moments, let alone hours, in which to discover each other . . . from now on, they were formally betrothed, and that betrothal had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-moon/no-more-stolen-moments-let-alone-hours-in-which-to-discover-each/) [Elizabeth Moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-moon/) > [“Mor rubbed her face. 'You were right about me, though. You were...' Her hand shook as she lowered it. She gnawed on her lip,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/mor-rubbed-her-face-you-were-right-about-me-though-you-were-her-hand/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I must leave you, Claudia. 'Tis unlikely we will have another opportunity to speak alone again before tomorrow." His lips brushed against hers in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/i-must-leave-you-claudia-tis-unlikely-we-will-have-another/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [So at the end of this day, we give thanks For being betrothed to the unknown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-o-donohue/so-at-the-end-of-this-day-we-give-thanks-for-being-betrothed-to-the/) [John O'Donohue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-o-donohue/) > [“Aye, Claudia. You are mine, and I protect what is mine. Our children will never know the fear you have lived with all these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/aye-claudia-you-are-mine-and-i-protect-what-is-mine-our-children-will/) [Elizabeth Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/) > [“Ian saw only that the beautiful girl who had daringly come to his defense in a roomful of men, who had kissed him with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/ian-saw-only-that-the-beautiful-girl-who-had-daringly-come-to-his/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“The accepted and betrothed lover has lost the wildest charm of his maiden in her acceptance of him. She was heaven whilst he pursued…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-accepted-and-betrothed-lover-has-lost-the-wildest-charm-of-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The betrothed and accepted lover has lost the wildest charms of his maiden by her acceptance. She was heaven while he pursued her, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-betrothed-and-accepted-lover-has-lost-the-wildest-charms-of-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“Bet you didn't know that when you agreed to be 'betrothed' to me, huh? Husband-eviscerating apparently runs in my family." Still no reaction, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawkins/bet-you-didn-t-know-that-when-you-agreed-to-be-betrothed-to-me-huh/) [Rachel Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawkins/) [Browse all 22 Betrothed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/betrothed/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“For the first time, he allowed himself to think of the day when they might part, of what would come of her. He could not imagine a day without hearing the soft, sultry sound of her voice, of smelling roses and finding himself completely distracted by her scent, by the gentle sway of her hips, the soft brush of her hair against his skin. Her smiles alone were worth a king's ransom. He would send her into a world where a hundred men would be eager to snatch up what he had tossed away so carelessly. They would not care if she ever smiled. Aye, he knew what would become of her. But what would become of him?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Elizabeth Elliott" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/for-the-first-time-he-allowed-himself-to-think-of-the-day-when-they/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Betrothed" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/for-the-first-time-he-allowed-himself-to-think-of-the-day-when-they/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0f/elizabeth-elliott-25805_betrothed_for-the-first-time-he-allowed-himself-to_865740.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0f/elizabeth-elliott-25805_betrothed_for-the-first-time-he-allowed-himself-to_865740.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0f/elizabeth-elliott-25805_betrothed_for-the-first-time-he-allowed-himself-to_865740.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“For the first time, he allowed himself to think of the day when they might part, of what would come of her…” — Elizabeth Elliott", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Elizabeth Elliott", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-elliott/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“For the first time, he allowed...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/for-the-first-time-he-allowed-himself-to-think-of-the-day-when-they/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-elliott/for-the-first-time-he-allowed-himself-to-think-of-the-day-when-they/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```