It was best their sister should cover her crime and avert the disgrace, which she had seemed to hang over all of them, in that way.
When the male Hautvilles came home to dinner, on the noon of the day after Burr called, Madelon knew at once that they had all heard.

They sat down to the table and ate in silence.

None of them spoke a word to Madelon on the subject, but she knew they had heard.

After dinner they all went out again except her father.

He stood on the hearth, filling his pipe moodily, with an automatic motion of his fingers, his eyes aloof.