She had chosen this meeting-place, not altogether because the house would be empty, but because in this first serious difficulty of her life she would be amongst familiar things and draw from them confidence and strength, and a sense of security.

With Mario Escobar in front of her, his face ablaze with passion, the security vanished altogether.

Yet all the more she was raised to the top of her courage.
"Then I shall tell you the truth," she answered gently.

"You speak to me of our friendship.

It was never anything serious to me.