He said something that she could not hear, but she understood that he condemned her, and that he had thrown the dress overboard.
She rose early, and tried to occupy her thoughts with other dreams--with her future as an officer's lady.

But it was as if all that had before seemed to be pure gold was now changed to brass.

She felt unhappy and restless; and it was a long time before she could make up her mind to go into the sitting-room.
Carl Beck did not leave that morning.

He had perceived that there was something on Elizabeth's mind.
During the forenoon, when his sisters were out, and his stepmother was occupied, he found an opportunity to speak with her alone: she was in a fever, always waiting for him to have spoken to Madam Beck.
"Elizabeth," he said, gently smoothing her hair, for she looked dispirited, and stood with her eyes fixed upon the ground, "I couldn't leave without having spoken to you again." She still kept her eyes upon the ground, but didn't withdraw herself from his hand.
"Do you really care for me ?--will you be my wife ?" She was silent.

At last she said, a shade paler, and as if with an effort-- "Yes--Herr Beck." "Say 'du' to me--say Carl," he pleaded, with much feeling, "and--look at me." She looked at him, but not as he had expected.