Cloaks and furs lay in some confusion upon the chairs, a large box stood with the lid raised, against the wall, displaying a quantity of lace, among which lay silks and ribbons of soft colours.
"I only came this morning," Beatrice said, as though to apologise for the disorder.
Unorna sank down in a corner of the sofa, shading her eyes from the bright lamp with her hand.

She could not help looking at Beatrice, but she felt that she must not let her scrutiny be too apparent, nor her conversation too eager.

Beatrice was proud and strong, and could doubtless be very cold and forbidding when she chose.
"And do you expect to be here long ?" Unorna asked, as Beatrice established herself at the other end of the sofa.
"I cannot tell," was the answer.

"I may be here but a few days, or I may have to stay a month.
"I lived here for years," said Unorna thoughtfully.

"I suppose it would be impossible now--I should die of apathy and inanition." She laughed in a subdued way, as though respecting Beatrice's mourning.