It was worse when he caught her look and tried to smile.
'Then I suppose that's--that's the end,' he said, as if he would make an effort to joke upon it, though his voice all but failed in speaking the few words.
He walked a little apart, then approached her again.
'You don't say this just to put me off ?' he asked, with a roughness which was rather the effect of his attempt to keep down emotion than intentional.
'I have told you the truth,' Emily replied firmly.
'Do other people know it?
Do the Cartwrights ?' 'You are the only one to whom I have spoken of it.' 'Except your father and mother, you mean ?' 'They do not know.' Though so troubled, she was yet able to ask herself whether his delicacy was sufficiently developed to enjoin silence.

The man had made such strange revelation of himself, she felt unable to predict his course.

No refinement in him would now have surprised her; but neither would any outbreak of boorishness.

He seemed capable of both.

His next question augured ill.
'Of course it is not any one in Dunfield ?' 'It is not.' Jealousy was torturing him.