I ...
I'm fearfully sorry for poor old Frank; I'm very fond of him, you know, but I couldn't help finding it an extraordinary relief when I heard the news.

And now I've come to ask you, perfectly straight, whether you'll consent to be my wife." Dick looked at her for the first time since he had begun his little speech.
She still sat absolutely quiet (she had not even moved at the two words she had uttered), but she had gone paler still.

Her mouth was in repose, without quiver or movement, and her beautiful eyes looked steadily on to the lawn before her.

She said nothing.
"If you can't give me an answer quite at once," began Dick again presently, "I'm perfectly willing to--" She turned and looked him courageously in the face.
"I can't say 'Yes,'" she said.

"That would be absurd....