Here he was, keeping her waiting.

Here he was, keeping up a hateful clatter of small-talk, while her heart was aching with suspense.
Ethel stood there listening.

Minute succeeded to minute.

There was no request for her.

How strong was the contrast between the cool indifference of the man below, and the feverish impatience of that listener above! A wild impulse came to her to go down, under the pretense of looking for something; then another to go down and out for a walk, so that he might see her.