Her brother went to Staningley to attend the funeral, and told me, upon his return, that she was still there, endeavouring to cheer her aunt with her presence, and likely to remain some time.

This was bad news for me, for while she continued there I could not write to her, as I did not know the address, and would not ask it of him.

But week followed week, and every time I inquired about her she was still at Staningley.
'Where is Staningley ?' I asked at last.
'In -- shire,' was the brief reply; and there was something so cold and dry in the manner of it, that I was effectually deterred from requesting a more definite account.
'When will she return to Grassdale ?' was my next question.
'I don't know.' 'Confound it!' I muttered.
'Why, Markham ?' asked my companion, with an air of innocent surprise.
But I did not deign to answer him, save by a look of silent, sullen contempt, at which he turned away, and contemplated the carpet with a slight smile, half pensive, half amused; but quickly looking up, he began to talk of other subjects, trying to draw me into a cheerful and friendly conversation, but I was too much irritated to discourse with him, and soon took leave.
You see Lawrence and I somehow could not manage to get on very well together.

The fact is, I believe, we were both of us a little too touchy.

It is a troublesome thing, Halford, this susceptibility to affronts where none are intended.