andwhilethisbranchofthesubjectwasunderdiscussion，Maria，whowantedneitherpridenorresolution，waspreparingtoencounterhershareofitwithtolerablecalmness。
Toherhesoonturned，repeatingmuchofwhathehadalreadysaid，withonlyasoftenedairandstrongerexpressionsofregret。Butwhatavailedhisexpressionsorhisair？Hewasgoing，and，ifnotvoluntarilygoing，voluntarilyintendingtostayaway；for，exceptingwhatmightbeduetohisuncle，hisengagementswereallself-imposed。
Hemighttalkofnecessity，butsheknewhisindependence。
Thehandwhichhadsopressedherstohisheart!thehandandtheheartwerealikemotionlessandpassivenow!
Herspiritsupportedher，buttheagonyofhermindwassevere。