Fatigued, low-spirited, feverishly perplexed, Sibylla did not know what she could do. She was not in a state that night to give much care to the future. All she hoped was, to stay in that haven until something else could be arranged for her. Let us give her her due. Somewhat careless, naturally, of the punctilios of life, it never occurred to her that it might not be the precise thing for her to remain, young as she was, the sole guest of Lionel Verner. Her voyage out, her residence in that very unconventional place, Melbourne, the waves and storms which had gone over her there in more ways than one, the voyage back again alone, all had tended to give Sibylla Massingbird an independence of thought; a contempt for the rules and regulations, the little points of etiquette obtaining in civilised society. She really thought no more harm of staying at Verner's Pride with Lionel, than she would have thought it had old Mr. Verner been its master. The eyelashes, resting on her hot cheeks, were wet, as she turned round when Lionel entered. "Have you taken anything, Mrs. Massingbird?" "No." "But you should have done so," he remonstrated, his tone one of the most considerate kindness. "I did not observe that tea waited," she replied, the covered table catching her eye for the first time. "I have been thinking." He placed a chair for her before the tea-tray, and she sat down. "Am I to preside?" she asked. "If you will. If you are not too tired." "Who makes tea for you in general?" she continued. "They send it in, made." Sibylla busied herself with the tea, in a languid sort of manner. In vain Lionel pressed her to eat. She could touch nothing. She took a piece of rolled bread-and-butter, but left it. "You must have dined on the road, Mrs. Massingbird?" he said, with a smile. "I? I have not taken anything all day. I kept thinking 'I shall get to Verner's Pride in time for my aunt's dinner.' But the train arrived later than I anticipated; and when I got here she was gone." Sibylla bent her head, as if playing with her teaspoon. Lionel detected the dropping tears. "Did you wonder where I was going just now, when I went out?" "I did not know you had been out," replied Sibylla. "I went to your sisters'. I thought it would be better for them to come here. Unfortunately, I found them gone out; and young Cheese says they will not be home until two in the morning." "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."