"May I ask why?" stammered out Charles.
"Well," she replied, "I have no present desire to get married."
"Don't you like me well enough?" he asked.
"Not well enough to marry you," was her prompt and candid reply.
"Perhaps you like someone better?" he added.
"And if I did, would there be anything very surprising in that?" she replied.
"No," he managed to get out after a pause; adding, "especially if it is the one I imagine it is."
"I don't see what right you have to imagine anything at all about it," was Jessie's spirited reply.
"The right is that which belongs to every man or woman to warn another of a danger."
"I don't understand you, sir."