There was what I might describe as a startled silence.

There was a startled silence, and then the voice actually laughed.

Jeffrey stared at her in startled silence for a moment.

There was a moment's startled silence, then she went on.

There was a brief, startled silence, and then a ghost of a human sound.

I sat in startled silence as she strode quickly toward the bedroom.

I believe,' Ethan said into the startled silence, 'that we were about to take a vote.

There was a startled silence before he asked, "Where are you at?"

There was a startled silence and the barriers shot up again.

There was a short, startled silence on the other end of the line.