Thinking that, after all, he should lose nothing, Charles promised himself to ask her in marriage as soon as occasion offered, but each time such occasion did offer the fear of not finding the right words sealed his lips.
Pensant qu’après tout l’on ne risquait rien, Charles se promit de faire la demande quand l’occasion s’en offrirait; mais, chaque fois qu’elle s’offrit, la peur de ne point trouver les mots convenables lui collait les lèvres.