And then they had all been silent.
It was a terrible evening to Clara.

She endeavoured to talk, but found it to be impossible.

All the brightness of the last few days had disappeared, and the world seemed to her to be more sad and solemn than ever.

She had no idea when she was refusing him that he would have taken it to heart as he had done.

The question had come before her for decision so suddenly, that she had not, in fact, had time to think of this as she was making her answer.