William Wilkie Collins

“ He was a dark, heavy-browed, strongly-built man, dressed in a shabby old naval officer's uniform. His manner—strikingly resolute and self-contained—was unmistakably the manner of a gentleman. He wound his way slowly through the crowd; stopping to look at every lady whom he passed, and then looking away again with a frown. Little by little he approached the conservatory—entered it, after a moment's reflection—detected the glimmer of a white dress in the distance, through the shrubs and flowers—advanced to get a nearer view of the lady—and burst into Clara's presence with a cry of delight. ”

“ Your words own it; your looks own it! You have engaged yourself to another man!"
"If I have engaged myself, what right have you to complain of it?" she answered firmly. "What right have you to control my actions——?"
The next words died away on her lips. He suddenly dropped her hand. A marked change appeared in the expression of his eyes—a change which told her of the terrible passions that she had let loose in him. She read, dimly read, something in his face which made her tremble—not for herself, but for Frank.
Little by little the dark colour faded out of his face. ”