"And why wasn't it possible?"
"I'd rather not tell you. It was a long time ago. He went away. He never came back again."
"Did he say he'd come back again?"
She shook her head. She tried to meet his gaze steadily, but it was like facing a search-light.
"Were you what you would call—engaged?"
"Oh no." Her confusion deepened. "There was never anything. It was a long time ago. I only want you to understand that if I could care for any one it would be for him. And if I married you—and he came back—"
"Are you expecting him back?"
She was a long time answering the question. She would not have answered it at all had it not been in the hope of getting rid of him.
"Yes."
He took the declaration coolly, and went on.