A moment the man sat still; then came his unexpected deliberate smile.
“No; not afraid. I repeat you know me absolutely, and we’re never afraid of things we know. I explained once before that that’s why I went through the detail of telling you everything. You’re not afraid of me in the least, any more than I am afraid of you.”
“No?”
The smile still held.
“No.”
“And still—”
“I repeat, it isn’t fear of me that prevents your answering.” Like a flash the smile vanished. Simultaneously the voice dropped until it was very low, yet very steady. “You love me in return, Elice, girl. It isn’t that!” 296
From the darkness silence, just silence.
“I say, you love me in return. Can you deny it?”
Still not an answering sound nor a motion.