Charlotte was putting candles on the tea table.

Edward was on his father's knee; Alice was waiting by the tray.
"Here--is--Cassandra," said Charles, mentioning the fact as if he merely wished to attract the child's attention.
"Here--is--Cassandra," I repeated, imitating his tone.

He started.
Some devil broke loose in him, and looking through his eyes an instant, disappeared, like a maniac who looks through the bars of his cell, and dodges from the eye of his keeper.

Jesse brought me a letter while we were at the table.

It was from Helen.