In public, we gave no overt sign of our differences; but it was understood on board that relations were strained: that Professor Sebastian and Dr.Cumberledge had been working at the same hospital in London together; and that owing to some disagreement between them Dr.Cumberledge had resigned--which made it most awkward for them to be travelling together by the same steamer.
We passed through the Suez Canal and down the Mediterranean.

All the time, Sebastian never again spoke to us.

The passengers, indeed, held aloof from the solitary, gloomy old man, who strode along the quarter-deck with his long, slow stride, absorbed in his own thoughts, and intent only on avoiding Hilda and myself.

His mood was unsociable.
As for Hilda, her helpful, winning ways made her a favourite with all the women, as her pretty face did with all the men.

For the first time in his life, Sebastian seemed to be aware that he was shunned.