She stood up in front of me.

She gazed steadfastly into my face.

Her features wore something of their ordinary pleasant expression, but to this there was added a certain determination which I had never seen there before.

She gave her head a little quick shake.
"No, sir!" she said.
This reception amazed me.

I had been greatly agitated as I heard her approach, turning over in my mind what I should first say to her, but now I forgot everything I had prepared.