she allowed herself to dwell on the cause of this strange, apprehensive exultation that she sensed flickering at the edge of her mind: it was the rarest thing of all - a man whom she knew at once, and without any qualification, to be her equal.
In "The Tiger in the Well," the protagonist experiences a profound and unexpected sense of joy mixed with apprehension as she reflects on a unique connection she has discovered. This feeling, which she allows herself to explore, highlights the rarity of such encounters in life.
She realizes that this extraordinary emotion is triggered by the presence of a man whom she instinctively recognizes as her equal. This mutual recognition and sense of equality create a powerful bond that she feels drawn to examine, emphasizing the significance of finding a true counterpart in one's life.