Line 442. Why do you think Elizabeth would have replaced the veil if it had fallen away?

"Even if his bewildered soul could have forgotten, there was a faithful woman at this pillow, who, with averted eyes, would have covered that aged face, which she had last beheld in the comeliness of manhood."

Elizabeth had walked away from the minister when she realized that the veil had such great meaning to him that it would always come between the two. Hooper had given up their future when he refused to allow her one glimpse of his face. Elizabeth would never have dishonored that decision in his death. She respected the wishes of the young man, and she had no less respect at his time of death.