In her embarrassment she fairly broke down and could only dry her eyes in silence.
Having once got this weight of confidence off his mind, Carrington felt comparatively gay and was ready to make the best of things.

He laughed at himself to drive away the tears of his pretty companion, and obliged her to take a solemn pledge never to betray him.

"Of course your sister knows it all," he said; "but she must never know that I told you, and I never would tell any one but you." Sybil promised faithfully to keep his confidence to herself, and she went on to defend her sister.
"You must not blame Madeleine," said she; "if you knew as well as I do what she has been through, you would not think her cold.

You do know how suddenly her husband died, after only one day's illness, and what a nice fellow he was.

She was very fond of him, and his death seemed to stun her.