Time after time, by some subtle question, he sought to lead me to speak about the woman dear to my heart, but in that he did not succeed.

He fascinated me, and in a degree mastered me, but did not succeed in all his desires.

I knew he was weighing me, testing me, and seeking to estimate my powers, but being on my guard his success was limited.
When our conversation ceased I felt sure of one thing.

It was to be a fight to the death between me and this man, if I would obtain the woman I loved.

Perhaps some may think this conclusion to be built on a very insufficient foundation, nevertheless I felt sure that such was the case.