She would not let me come.

What could I do?
I had no claim to come.' Rose was not aware of the import of her speech.

Evan, though he felt more in it, and had some secret nerves set tingling and dancing, was not to be moved from his demand.
'Do you intend to withhold it, Rose ?' 'Withhold what, Evan?
Anything that you wish for is yours.' 'The handkerchief.

Is not that mine ?' Rose faltered a word.

Why did he ask for it?
Because he asked for nothing else, and wanted no other thing save that.
Why did she hesitate?
Because it was so poor a gift, and so unworthy of him.
And why did he insist?
Because in honour she was bound to surrender it.
And why did she hesitate still?
Let her answer.
'Oh, Evan! I would give you anything but that; and if you are going away, I should beg so much to keep it.' He must have been in a singular state not to see her heart in the refusal, as was she not to see his in the request.