She avoided me, going in and out of the room about the work of clearing the table.

She did not pause to listen to the story of my trip.

Was she perhaps ill?
Reverdy and Sarah prevailed upon me to stay over night.

And I did; but early the next morning all of us went to the country together; for Reverdy was now pushing the house to completion.
When we arrived at the hut, as Zoe remained silent and subdued, I began to question her.

She protested at first that nothing was the matter; but I knew better, and I persisted in my attempts to draw her out.