The poor old gentleman could easily have been kept in his place.

The suffering of an occasional harmless caress would have purchased for her power and opportunity.

Had it not been somewhat selfish of her?
Should she write to him--see him again?
She knew that she never would.

It was something apart from her reason.
It would not even listen to her.

It bade or forbade as if one were a child without any right to a will of one's own.