'He asked you to marry him; of course that's no secret. You'll forgive my speaking plainly, won't you?'
'What do you want to say?'
'What was his power over you? I am taking advantage of our friendship, even at the risk of being rude and impertinent.'
'He had no power over me,—in the way you think.'
'That sounds like an admission. Is it?'
'Yes, if you like.'
'Then what was his power?'
She looked at me for a few seconds without speaking.
'I can't tell you,' she replied presently.
For some time we walked on in silence; I thinking what her words might mean, she apparently deep in thought.