If it were only stubbornness, timidity, his great love for his sailor-life, or simply the fear of a refusal, as Sylvestre had hinted, why, all these objections would disappear, after a frank, fair understanding between them.

His fond smile might return, which had charmed and won her the winter before, and all would be settled.

This hope gave her strength and courage, and sweetened her impatience.

From afar, things always appear so easy and simple to say and to do.
This visit of Yann's fell by chance at a convenient hour.

She was sure that her father, who was sitting and smoking, would not get up to walk part of the way with him; so in the empty passage she might have her explanation out with him.
But now that the time had come, such boldness seemed extreme.