Goodbye . '' He held out his hand and gave mine an earnest clasp . Then he went away . I remained in the drawing-room , partly because I wanted to finish out my cry , and partly because , miserable coward that I was , I did n't dare face Alicia . Finally she came in , her face wreathed with anticipatory smiles . But when her eyes fell on my forlorn , crumpled self she fairly jumped . `` Katherine , what is the matter ? '' she asked sharply . `` Did n't Mr. Sinclair -- '' `` Yes , he did , '' I said desperately . `` And I 've refused him . There now , Alicia ! '' Then I waited for the storm to burst . It did n't all at once . The shock was too great , and at first quite paralyzed my half-sister . `` Katherine , '' she gasped , `` are you crazy ? Have you lost your senses ? '' `` No , I 've just come to them . It 's true enough , Alicia . You can scold all you like . I know I deserve it , and I wo n't flinch .
I did really intend to take him , but when it came XXXXX the point I could n't .
Sinclair at because first for in on that to with