Gradually the stars lost brilliance.
All of a sudden, at the foot of a rise crowned by a cottage looming black against the sky, Emmy broke down and cast herself on a heap of stones by the side of the road, a helpless bundle of sobs and incoherent lamentations.

She could bear it no longer.

Why had he not spoken to her?
She could go no further.

She wished she were dead.

What was going to become of her?
How could he walk by her side saying nothing, like a dumb jailer?
He had better go back to Nunsmere and leave her to die by the wayside.