Sybil was dressed, but lying on the outside of her bed.
Beatrix was sitting beside her, engaged in some light needle-work.
"She is very feeble both in mind and body to-day," said Beatrix, in answer to an inquiring look of Mr. Berners, as she arose to give him her seat by the bedside.
"How are you this morning, love?" inquired Mr. Berners, tenderly taking her hand.
"Oh! I am better! Shall we go home to-morrow, Lyon?"
"If it please Providence, dear," answered her husband, putting a strong constraint upon himself. But he saw that though she had asked the question, she scarcely heard his answer; her attention had wandered from the point, and she was idly pulling the curly-haired ears of her little dog, who lay coiled up beside her.
Meanwhile Mr. Fortescue had shaken hands with Miss Pendleton, and was now saying:
"Beatrix, my child, you had better retire from this scene for a few moments."
"Why?" inquired Beatrix, looking her old neighbor firmly in the face.
"Because I have a very painful duty to perform, which will be very distressing to you to witness."