He had never heard of a marriage proposal frightening a girl into a faint and he thought that there was surely something in the matter of which he knew nothing.

Then, too, he was racking his brain for an excuse to give Viola's parents.

But happily the cool air revived Viola and she awoke trembling violently and begged Bernard to take her home at once.

This he did and drove away, much puzzled in mind.
He revived the whole matter in his mind, and thoughts and opinions came and went.

Perhaps she deemed him utterly unworthy of her.