In uttering the request, my voice faltered, my head sank on my arms and the table.

I wept bitterly, though quietly.

He sat a while longer.

I did not look up nor speak, till the closing door and his retreating step told me that he was gone.

These tears proved a relief.
I had time to bathe my eyes before breakfast, and I suppose I appeared at that meal as serene as any other person: not, however, quite as jocund-looking as the young lady who placed herself in the seat opposite mine, fixed on me a pair of somewhat small eyes twinkling gleefully, and frankly stretched across the table a white hand to be shaken.