"You needn't be afraid," she said, putting the bowl of violets steadily from her. "No more will be said on the subject by either of us."
"I'm not afraid." Saltash was looking at her hard, with a certain curiosity. "But with my best friend tied to him for life, it wouldn't--naturally--be to my interest to quarrel with him."
She flashed him a sudden glance. "I think you had better not call me that, Charlie," she said.
He laughed carelessly. "I'll call you my dearest enemy, if you like. It would be almost as near the mark."
She was silent.
He bent suddenly towards her, the laugh gone from his face. "Maud," he said, and there was a note of urgency in his voice, "you're not wanting to throw me over?"
She shook her head very slightly. "I can't be on really intimate terms with you any more," she said. "You must see it's impossible."
"No, I don't," he said. "Why is it impossible?"
She did not answer.
"Come," he said. "That's unreasonable. What have I done to forfeit your friendship?"