If he fears me, why come hither? If he no longer cares for me, why silent? teasing, teasing, man! I will think no more about him.
– Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 54. Elizabeth tries hard to analyze the enigmatic Darcy’s behavior when he comes to dinner at Longbourn and he greets her with the sound of silence. Sitting at the far end of the table to her, he barely speaks to her.