Perhaps the sound was more to his ear than the thought had been to his mind.

Perhaps, also, he felt when it was too late that he ought to have made this announcement with something more of preparation.

Ida's eyes were fixed upon his face, and seemed expanding as they gazed; her lips had parted; she was the image of sudden dread.
He tried to look away from her, but somehow could not.

Then two great tears dropped upon her cheeks, and her mouth began to quiver.

She put her hands up to her face, and sobbed as a grown woman might have done.
Mr.Woodstock turned away for a minute, and fingered a china ornament on the mantelpiece.