These considerations kept her timid and tongue-tied; though old habit, combined with Carteret's delightful personality and the soothing influence of the dusky evening quiet, inclined her to confidences.
"It's not anything I've done," she presently took him up gravely.

"But, quite by chance, I learned something which I think the Commissioner Sahib would rather not have had me hear.

I had to be quite truthful with him about it; but I was bewildered and ill.

I blurted things out rather I'm afraid, and hurt him more than I need have done.

I was so taken by surprise, you see." "Yes, I see," Carteret said, regardless of strict veracity.