To be under the control, however slight, of one who was almost a stranger to me, was, at the least, unnatural and unpleasant.

I was bound to ask him a few plain questions.

And, supposing Mrs.Everard were to speak to him about his being betrothed, and he were to deny it, and afterwards were to turn round upon me and ask what authority I had for making such a statement, what should I say?
Convict myself of falsehood?
However, it was no use to puzzle over the solution of this difficulty till it positively presented itself.

At any rate, I determined I would ask him frankly, face to face, for some explanation of the strange emotions I had felt ever since meeting him; and thus resolved, I waited patiently for the evening..