They went up-stairs and again sat themselves in chairs over the fire; but for a while conversation did not seem to come to them freely.

Clara felt that it was now Captain Aylmer's turn to begin, and Captain Aylmer felt--that he wished he could read the newspaper.
He had nothing in particular that he desired to say to his lady-love.
That morning, as he was shaving himself, he had something to say that was very particular,--as to which he was at that moment so nervous, that he had cut himself slightly through the trembling of his hand.
But that had now been said, and he was nervous no longer.

That had now been said, and the thing settled so easily, that he wondered at his own nervousness.

He did not know that there was anything that required much further immediate speech.

Clara had thought somewhat of the time which might be proposed for their marriage, making some little resolves, with which the reader is already acquainted; but no ideas of this kind presented themselves to Captain Aylmer.