I would run up-stairs--call to him outside his door--make him speak to me.
With a guilty look around, I started up, stole through the group on the piazza, and ran to the stairs.

But alas, Richard had not failed to mark my movements, and before my foot had touched the stair his voice recalled me.

I started with a guilty look, and trembled, but dared not meet his eye.
"Pauline, are you going away?
We are just ready start." If I had had any presence of mind I should have made an excuse, and gone to my own room for a moment, and taken my chance of getting to the floor above; but I suppose he would have forestalled me.

I could not command a single word, but turned back and followed him.

As we got into the carriage, the voices and the laughing really seemed to madden me.
Driving away from the house, I never shall forget the sensation of growing heaviness at my heart; it seemed to be turning into lead.