Mrs.Bellairs looked grave when she heard of this expedition, and took an opportunity of begging Lucia, to try to prevent any exciting scene, and to insist upon coming home again immediately; but even she said nothing to her sister.
The two sleighs came to the door at the same time, and as Mrs.Costello and Mrs.Bellairs drove off towards the cottage, Bella and Lucia started in the opposite direction.

They had not much to say to each other on the way; and both, as they passed the fatal spot where the murder had been committed affected to be occupied with their own thoughts, that they might neither meet each other's eyes nor seem to remember where they were.

They soon began to pass along the white and scarcely-trodden track which ran beside the creek.

All was silent and desolate.

The water, almost black by contrast with the snow, washed against the bank with a dull monotonous sound just audible; the fishing-hut had been transformed into a great heap of snow, and the branches, heavily laden, hung quite motionless under the cold grey sky.