As the day appointed for the opening of the court approached, he seemed to falter a little in his resolution; his manner became restless; and he grew irritably suspicious about the merest trifles.

This change did not necessarily imply the consciousness of guilt: it might merely have indicated natural nervous agitation as the time for the trial drew near.

Naomi noticed the alteration in her lover.

It greatly increased her anxiety, though it never shook her confidence in Ambrose.

Except at meal-times, I was left, during the period of which I am now writing, almost constantly alone with the charming American girl.