She was startled and stood quietly, but breathing more quickly.

She joked no longer; her laugh sounded less clear, and she was not tempted to ridicule this great awkward, but most attractive fellow.

The feminine nature so recently awakened in her softened her almost to tears, and with the feeling of inexplicable tenderness, which overpowered her, was mingled a half-fear.
What was the matter with her that she was less gay, and that she was so overcome by this delicious pang?
When he held out the kerchief to her, their hands, by chance, touched for a moment.

They trembled, as they looked at each other inquiringly.

Then she drew back quickly, and for several seconds seemed not to know what she should do under the extraordinary circumstances which had just occurred.