"Single life has its charms, and I am by no means sure that--that I care to--to give it up." "I hope to be able some day to convince you that you do," he returned entreatingly, as she turned hastily away and moved on toward another picture.
She had liked the old gentleman very much indeed; he was so genuinely kind and polite, so intelligent and well informed; and he had evidently enjoyed her society too, but she had never dreamed of this--that he would want her as a wife; she would sooner have thought of looking up to him in a daughterly way--but as he had said he wanted a wifely affection from her, could she--could she give it?
For a brief space her brain seemed in a whirl; she saw nothing, heard nothing that was going on about her--could think of nothing but this surprising, astonishing offer, and could not decide whether she could ever accept it or not.

She could not, at that moment she rather thought she never could.

She kept her face turned away from him as he stood patiently waiting by her side.

Both had lost interest in the paintings.

He was watching her and saw that she was much disturbed, yet he could not decide whether that disturbance was likely to be favorable to his suit or not.