I guessed that his mother would rather keep her son by her side unwed--perhaps that he could not afford to marry.

I often longed to slip my hand in hers, and say, "Be not afraid, I am true;" but I could only look straight in her eyes and be silent.

And this thought, perhaps because I might not speak it out and have done with it, remained with me, and preyed upon my mind.

About this time I began to lie awake at nights, planning how I might show Mrs.
Hollingford that I had no wish to thrust myself between her and her son.
And so it came that there arose a strangeness between John and me.

I did not wish it to be so, but it happened naturally as a consequence of all my thinking and planning.