I had never before seen Rachel so silent and so thoughtful.

I had never before seen Mr.Bruff pay her such devoted attention, and look at her with such marked respect.

He had (or pretended that he had) an engagement to dinner that day--and he took an early leave of us all; intending to go back to London by the first train the next morning.
"Are you sure of your own resolution ?" he said to Rachel at the door.
"Quite sure," she answered--and so they parted.
The moment his back was turned, Rachel withdrew to her own room.

She never appeared at dinner.

Her maid (the person with the cap-ribbons) was sent down-stairs to announce that her headache had returned.