They were in London, and had run down to Liverpool on the chance of getting berths.

Beyond this she was not definite, and there was an absence of Burnamy not only from her company but from her conversation which mystified March through all his selfish preoccupations with his wife.
She was a girl who had her reserves, but for a girl who had so lately and rapturously written them of her engagement, there was a silence concerning her betrothed that had almost positive quality.

With his longing to try Miss Triscoe upon Mrs.March's malady as a remedial agent, he had now the desire to try Mrs.March upon Miss Triscoe's mystery as a solvent.

She stood talking to him, and refusing to sit down and be wrapped up in the chair next her father.

She said that if he were going to ask Mrs.March to let her come to her, it would not be worth while to sit down; and he hurried below.
"Did you get it ?" asked his wife, without looking round, but not so apathetically as before.
"Oh, yes.