"Why, where can they be gone?" cried Sibylla, aroused to interest. It was so unusual for the Misses West to be out late.
"To some gathering at Heartburg. Cheese was eating apple-puffs with unlimited satisfaction."
The connection of apple-puffs with Master Cheese called up a faint smile into Sibylla's face. She pushed her chair away from the table, turning it towards the fire.
"But you surely have not finished, Mrs. Massingbird?"
"Yes, thank you. I have drunk my tea. I cannot eat anything."
Lionel rang, and the things were removed. Sibylla was standing before the mantel-piece when they were left alone, unconsciously looking at herself in the glass. Lionel stood near her.
"I have not got a widow's cap," she exclaimed, turning to him, the thought appearing suddenly to strike her. "I had two or three curious things made, that they called widows' caps in Melbourne, but they were spoiled on the voyage."
"You have seen some trouble since you went out," Lionel observed.
"Yes, I have. It was an ill-starred voyage. It has been ill-starred from the beginning to the end; all of it together."
"The voyage has, you mean?"