Then I excused myself from Justine, and, going over to Miss Treherne, explained to her the circumstances, and asked her if she would go and speak to the afflicted girl.

She and Mrs.Callendar had been watching the incident, and they eagerly listened to me.

I think this was the moment that I first stood really well with Belle Treherne.

Her sympathy for the bereaved girl flooded many barriers between herself and me.
"Oh," she said quickly, "indeed I will go to her, poor girl! Will you come also, Mrs.Callendar ?" But Mrs.Callendar timidly said she would rather Miss Treherne went without her; and so it was.

While Miss Treherne was comforting the bereaved girl, I talked to Mrs.Callendar.I fear that Mrs.Callendar was but a shallow woman; for, after a moment of excitable interest in Justine, she rather naively turned the talk upon the charms of Europe.
And, I fear, not without some slight cynicism, I followed her where she led; for, as I said to myself, it did not matter what direction our idle tongues took, so long as I kept my mind upon the two beside that grave: but it gave my speech a spice of malice.