Those last hours which are so precious, and in which we seem to have so much to say, are often silent ones.
The great house, like a city in itself, with its wide passages and halls, and groups of strangers passing constantly to and fro, had something dismal and desert like about it.

Even the drawing-room was so large and so destitute of anything like a snug corner where people could be comfortable, that there was little chance of forgetting that they were mere wayfarers.

When the gong had sounded, and everybody assembled for breakfast, the vast dining-room, coldly magnificent in white and gold, and all astir with white jacketed waiters, seemed stranger and more unhomelike still.

Everything was novel, but for once novelty only wearied instead of charming.
By noon they were on board the steamer.

Mr.Strafford went on board with them and stayed till the last minute.