The flight of Mrs.Lascelles was the next discovery; desperate deductions were drawn at once.

She had jilted the unlucky youth and sent him in utter recklessness on his intentionally suicidal ascent.

Nobody any longer expected to see him come down alive; so much I gathered from the fragments of conversation that reached my ears; and never was better occupation for a bad day than appeared to be afforded by the discussion of the supposititious tragedy in all its imaginary details.

As, however, the talk invariably abated at my approach, giving place to uncomplimentary glances in my direction, I could not but infer that public opinion had assigned me an unenviable part in the piece.
Perhaps I deserved it, though not from their point of view.
The afternoon was at once a dreariness and a dread.

There was no ray of sun without, no sort of warmth within.