I meant to have gone away before now, but I've put it off, day after day; once or twice I've all but come to your house, to ask to see you--' He spoke in a hurried, breathless way, almost with violence; passion was forcing the words from him, in spite of a shame which kept his face on fire.

There was something boyish in the simplicity of his phrases; he seemed to be making a confession that was compelled by fear, and at length his speech lost itself in incoherence.

He stood with his eyes fixed on the ground; perspiration covered his face.
'Mr.Dagworthy--' Emily tried to break the intolerable silence.

Her strength was answering now to the demand upon it; his utter abashment before her could not but help her to calmness.

But the sound of her first word gave him voice again.
'Let me speak first,' he broke forth, now looking full at her.