It was ill-luck, and I was mixed up with it.

He began to cool to me--to avoid me.

You were here; you didn't remind him of failure.
He found relief in talking to you.

His ill-humour would all have passed away like a child's sulkiness, but that--Ah! well!--' She raised her hand with a long, painful sigh, and let it drop.
'Don't imagine I blame anyone.

You were so fresh and young--it was all so natural.