She tried to think of something to say, something to dispel the seriousness which she felt to be in the atmosphere, but words failed her.

It was he who broke the silence.
"May I ask you a question, Miss Conyers ?" "A question?
Why not ?" "Are you really engaged to Major Thomson ?" She did not answer him at once.

She still kept her eyes resolutely turned away from his.

When at last she spoke, her voice was scarcely raised above a whisper.
"Certainly I am," she assented.
He leaned a little closer towards her.

His voice sounded to her very deep and firm.