I stood by the side of the canal, and looked upon the ice.

Country people went by on their skates, and I envied them.

I could see no way out of the pickle I was in: no way so much as to return to the room I had just left.

No doubt was in my mind but I had now betrayed the secret of my feelings; and to make things worse, I had shown at the same time (and that with wretched boyishness) incivility to my helpless guest.
I suppose she must have seen me from the open window.

It did not seem to me that I had stood there very long before I heard the crunching of footsteps on the frozen snow, and turning somewhat angrily (for I was in no spirit to be interrupted) saw Catriona drawing near.