Based on the last meeting, Mrs. Drover's former fiance appears to be a possessive and domineering man. Before he leaves for the war, he makes Mrs. Drover promise to wait for him; he does not entertain any other response from Mrs. Drover but that of acquiescence to his mysterious wishes. He also reiterates his own promise that he will join her sooner or later. Strangely, he does not behave towards Mrs. Drover as a lover would on the eve of battle; he does not kiss her but instead makes sure that her hand bears the cruel imprint of one of the brass buttons from his jacket. He appears to be the sort of man who is relentless when it comes to the pursuit of his desires.
When Mrs. Drover protests that he is going so far away, he cryptically answers that he will not be going as far as she thinks. His statement is prescient and may explain why an oppressive presence continues to plague Mrs. Drover's conscience even after twenty five years. Whether the presence is real or perceived has been a subject of great speculation for many readers. In all respects, Mrs. Drover's former fiance is an enigmatic man, but he is also a sinister character. His haunting presence lends an ominous undertone to the resolution of the story.
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