avoidance

Presuming, however, that this studied avoidance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment than any dislike of the proposal, and seeing in her husband, who was fond of society, a perfect willingness to accept it, she ventured to engage for her attendance, and the day after the next was fixed on.

As the looming deadline approaches, the original anxiety returns with significantly greater force, creating a debilitating cycle of avoidance and panic.