He may have divined that silence was more effective than speech.
He sat looking straight in front of him, as if too deeply absorbed in his own thoughts to take even a passing interest in the scenery.
"Why did you come here ?" asked Catrina suddenly.
De Chauxville seemed to awake from a revery.

He turned and looked at her in assumed surprise.

They were on the high-road now, where the snow was beaten down, so conversation was easy.
"But--to see you, mademoiselle." "I am not _that_ sort of girl," answered Catrina coldly.

"I want the truth." De Chauxville gave a short laugh and looked at her.
"Prophets and kings have sought the truth, mademoiselle, and have not found it," he said lightly.
Catrina made no answer to this.

Her ponies required considerable attention.