"If ?" he said.
She made a rather piteous attempt to laugh.

"Really I don't want to," she said.
"Really ?" said Monck.

He drew a little nearer to her, still holding her hand.

His grasp was firm and strong.

"Really ?" he said again.
She stood in silence, for she could not give him any answer.
He waited for a moment or two; then, "Stella," he said, "are you afraid of me ?" She shook her head.