But how to begin?
What first to say?
How to disarm her opposition in the outset?
These were the questions over which Ellis pondered.

And the difficulty loomed up larger and larger the nearer he approached it.

He felt too serious; and was conscious of this.
Unhappily, Cara's brow was somewhat clouded.

Ellis approached her with attempts at cheerful conversation; but she was not in the mood to feel interested in any of the topics he introduced.

The tea hour passed with little of favourable promise.