There was not the least hurry or confusion, but I was quite sure the color had faded from her face.

Was it possible that I had found a hole the strong armor at last?
Lance turned a laughing face to me.
"My wife is as strong in her dislikes as in her likes," he said.

"She never will go to the sea.

Last year I spent a whole month in trying to persuade her; this year I have begun in good time, and I intend to give it three months' good trial, but I am afraid it will be quite in vain." "Why do you dislike the sea ?" I repeated.

"You must have a reason." "I think," she replied, "it makes me melancholy and low spirited." "Well it might!" I thought, for the rush and fall of the waves must be like a vast requiem to her.
"That is not the effect the sea has upon most people," I said.
"No, I suppose not; it has upon me," she answered.