He saw all--she made no attempt to hide them--and he bit his lip and drove his finger-ends into his palms in the effort to be silent.
Presently he had his reward.
"I am sorry," she said in a low tone.

"I was listening, and I knew I was.

I do not know why I deceived you." "Why will you not tell me all ?" he cried.
"I cannot!" she answered, her breast heaving passionately.

"I cannot!" For the first time in his knowledge of her, she broke down completely, and sinking on a bench with her back to the table she sobbed bitterly, her face in her hands.

For some minutes she rocked herself to and fro in a paroxysm of trouble.
He had risen and stood watching her awkwardly, longing to comfort her, but ignorant how to go about it, and feeling acutely his helplessness and his _gaucherie_.