Her husband entered, closed the door, and then turned around with some light, gay word; but at the sight of his wife’s pale and agitated face, he started in surprise and distress, exclaiming:
“Why, Sybil! Why, my darling! What on earth is the matter? What has happened?”
At the sound of his anxious voice, at the sight of his troubled face, Sybil turned aside, sank upon the corner of the sofa, dropped her head upon its cushions, and yielded to a tempest of sobs and tears.
He hurried to her side, sat down and drew her head upon his bosom, and in much alarm exclaimed again:
“In the name of Heaven, Sybil! what is all this about? What has happened to distress you so deeply? Have you heard any bad news?” he inquired as he caressed and tried to soothe her.
She did not repel his caresses; for, jealous as she was, she felt no anger towards him then. She laid her head upon his bosom, and sobbed aloud.
“What bad news have you heard, dear Sybil?” repeated Mr. Berners.
“Oh, none at all! What bad news could I hear to make me weep? I do not care as much as that for anything on earth, or anybody except you!” she answered, lifting her head from his bosom as she spoke, and then dropping it again when she had finished.
“Then what is it that troubles you, my own dear wife? What cause can you have for weeping?” he inquired, tenderly caressing the beautiful, wayward creature.
She lifted her head, and smiled through her tears as she answered: