'He would scarcely say anything but yes and no, and gave me no chance at all of introducing the subject.

I wanted to explain--I came all the way on purpose--I would have begged George's pardon on my two knees if there had been any way of beginning; but there was not, and I could not do it!' Though she slept badly that night, Paula promptly appeared in the public room to breakfast, and that not from motives of vanity; for, while not unconscious of her accession to the unstable throne of queen-beauty in the establishment, she seemed too preoccupied to care for the honour just then, and would readily have changed places with her unhappy predecessor, who lingered on in the background like a candle after sunrise.
Mrs.Goodman was determined to trust no longer to Paula for putting an end to what made her so restless and self-reproachful.

Seeing old Mr.
Somerset enter to a little side-table behind for lack of room at the crowded centre tables, again without his son, she turned her head and asked point-blank where the young man was.
Mr.Somerset's face became a shade graver than before.

'My son is unwell,' he replied; 'so unwell that he has been advised to stay indoors and take perfect rest.' 'I do hope it is nothing serious.' 'I hope so too.

The fact is, he has overdone himself a little.