1 She sighed as she carefully tied the ribbon about the packet, wondering for the thousandth time just what it was in Ashley that eluded her understanding.
2 She had, indeed, a quick vision of returning the packet to Bertha Dorset, and of the opportunities the restitution offered; but this thought lit up abysses from which she shrank back ashamed.
3 Meanwhile Mrs. Haffen, prompt to perceive her hesitation, had already opened the packet and ranged its contents on the table.
4 Instead, she approached her desk, and lighting a taper, tied and sealed the packet; then she opened the wardrobe, drew out a despatch-box, and deposited the letters within it.
5 At five o'clock she rose, unlocked her trunk, and took out a sealed packet which she slipped into the bosom of her dress.
6 Even the contact with the packet did not shake her nerves as she had half-expected it would.
7 Her tears had risen again, and in drawing out her handkerchief her fingers touched the packet in the folds of her dress.
8 Much was I disappointed upon learning that the little packet for Nantucket had already sailed, and that no way of reaching that place would offer, till the following Monday.
9 We borrowed a wheelbarrow, and embarking our things, including my own poor carpet-bag, and Queequeg's canvas sack and hammock, away we went down to "the Moss," the little Nantucket packet schooner moored at the wharf.
10 He handed the youth a little packet done up in a yellow envelope.
11 It was not necessary to knock his friend on the head with the misguided packet.
12 He had delivered a melancholy oration previous to his funeral, and had doubtless in the packet of letters, presented various keepsakes to relatives.
13 He loosened two buttons of his coat, thrust in his hand, and brought forth the packet.
14 He had been slow in the act of producing the packet because during it he had been trying to invent a remarkable comment on the affair.
15 He was compelled to allow his friend to escape unmolested with his packet.