"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving tells the story of a schoolmaster named Ichabod Crane who takes up a new post in the secluded valley of Sleepy Hollow, a place known for its haunted atmosphere and appearances of ghosts. He decides to woo Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter of a wealthy farmer, although there are numerous rivals for her hand, especially the formidable Brom Van Brunt. Still, Crane supposes that he has the upper hand and grooms himself carefully for the party at which he decides to confront Katrina.
During the course of the party, Crane's spirits are high despite the guests telling stories of the dark supernatural occurrences around Sleepy Hollow. When the party is over, he lingers to speak with Katrina. The author does not specifically record the conversation, but he implies that the thing that changes Crane's mood is rejection by Katrina.
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passed at this interview I will not pretend to say, for in fact I do not know. Something, however, I fear me, must have gone wrong, for he certainly sallied forth, after no very great interval, with an air quite desolate and chapfallen.
Crane exits the house without admiring the abundant food, which is not like him, and is rough with his horse as he rouses it. It's obvious that his mood is very gloomy from the rejection, and he's also in a state of deep fear from the ghost stories he heard at the farmhouse.
All the stories of ghosts and goblins that he had heard in the afternoon now came crowding upon his recollection. The night grew darker and darker; the stars seemed to sink deeper in the sky, and driving clouds occasionally hid them from his sight. He had never felt so lonely and dismal.
So overall, Crane's mood is desolate, lonely, dismal, chapfallen (or dejected), and terrified, and Irving implies that the conversation with Katrina is what prompted him to become overcome by these negative emotions.
Icabod leaves the house ''with an air quite desolate and chopfallen.’’ Just prior to this, he has been talking to Katrina, whom he has approached with the plan of asking for her hand in marriage. We can assume from this that Katrina has turned him down, which leaves him feeling so desolate, so dejected.
Ichabod was "heavy hearted and crestfallen" as he left Katrina's house after the party. The author suggests that Katrina had been toying with Ichabod the entire time just to make Brom Bones jealous. The author only asks questions, not stating directly what happened, but his questions point to the idea that Katrina had been playing coquettish tricks rather than being sincere with Ichabod.