The broken promise

An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.

Elizabeth laid the chessboard beside the fire. Her father had promised to teach her the ending he said she always spoiled. At six, she moved the white king into its starting place. At seven, she checked the clock against the one in the hall. At eight, she began a game against herself.

The front gate sounded, and she rose. It was the servant carrying a message: her father would remain in town. Elizabeth said she had expected as much. She put the pieces away one at a time, leaving the kings until last. When her mother offered to play, she said the board was already packed. The fire had fallen to a bed of red ash.

Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to show Elizabeth’s recognition that her father will not arrive. Support your answer with references to the passage.