I sympathize with you in your bereavement.' Barnet did not much appreciate Charlson's sympathy, which sounded to his ears as something of a mockery from the lips of a man who knew what Charlson knew about their domestic relations.

Indeed there seemed an odd spark in Charlson's full black eye as he said the words; but that might have been imaginary.
'And, Mr.Barnet,' Charlson resumed, 'that little matter between us--I hope to settle it finally in three weeks at least.' 'Never mind that now,' said Barnet abruptly.

He directed the surgeon to go to the harbour in case his services might even now be necessary there: and himself entered the house.
The servants were coming from his wife's chamber, looking helplessly at each other and at him.

He passed them by and entered the room, where he stood mutely regarding the bed for a few minutes, after which he walked into his own dressing-room adjoining, and there paced up and down.

In a minute or two he noticed what a strange and total silence had come over the upper part of the house; his own movements, muffled as they were by the carpet, seemed noisy, and his thoughts to disturb the air like articulate utterances.