In the intensity of our thinking, the silence became a positive thing; the small sounds of life within and without the house seemed intrusive.

The first to break it was Miss Trelawny.

I had seen an idea--a hope--flash in her eyes; but she steadied herself before speaking: "What was the urgent subject on which you wanted to see me, knowing that my Father was--not available ?" The pause showed her mastery of her thoughts.
The instantaneous change in Mr.Corbeck was almost ludicrous.

His start of surprise, coming close upon his iron-clad impassiveness, was like a pantomimic change.

But all idea of comedy was swept away by the tragic earnestness with which he remembered his original purpose.
"My God!" he said, as he raised his hand from the chair back on which it rested, and beat it down with a violence which would in itself have arrested attention.