Her heart was beating furiously, and she put one hand on her breast to keep it quiet.

Dick was staring directly at her, and she realised for the first time that he was blind.
Shutting her eyes in a rail-way carriage to open them when she pleased was child's play.

This man was blind though his eyes were wide open.
'Torp, is that you?
They said you were coming.' Dick looked puzzled and a little irritated at the silence.
'No; it's only me,' was the answer, in a strained little whisper.

Maisie could hardly move her lips.
'H'm!' said Dick, composedly, without moving.

'This is a new phenomenon.
Darkness I'm getting used to; but I object to hearing voices.' Was he mad, then, as well as blind, that he talked to himself?
Maisie's heart beat more wildly, and she breathed in gasps.