Ralph was reading, but she had noticed for some time that his eyes instead of following the print were fixed rather above the page with an intensity of gloom that came to weigh upon her mind.

She had not weakened in her resolve not to give way, for reflection had only made her more bitterly certain that, if she gave way, it would be to her own wish and not to his.

But she had determined that there was no reason why he should suffer if her reticence were the cause of his suffering.
Therefore, although she found it painful, she spoke: "You asked me if I had changed my mind about you, Ralph," she said.

"I think there's only one thing.

When you asked me to marry you, I don't think you meant it.