There was another reason I need not mention now, why I hesitated, why such a course became doubly hard.

But I am going to tell you it all now, for--for I wish you to go away at least respecting my womanhood." He made no reply, no comment, and the girl dropped her questioning eyes to the floor.
"You asked me if I had ever loved him," she continued, speaking more slowly, "and I told you no.

That was the truth as I realize it now, although there was a time when the man fascinated, bewildered me, as I imagine the snake fascinates a bird.

I have learned since something of what love truly is, and can comprehend that my earlier feeling toward him was counterfeit, a mere bit of dross.

Be patient, please, while I tell you how it all happened.