After deep thought she came to the conclusion that it was her duty to ask Michael frequently to the house.
When Fay once recognised a duty she performed it without delay.
She met with an unexpected obstacle in the way of its adequate performance.

The obstacle was Michael.
The young man came once, and then again after an interval of several months, but apparently nothing would induce him to frequent the house.
Fay did not recognise her boyish eager lover in the grave sedate man, old of his age, who had replaced him.

His dignified and quite unobtrusive resistance, which had not indifference at its core, added an intense, a feverish, interest to Fay's life.

She saw that he still cared for her, and that he did not intend to wound himself a second time.

He had had enough.