As we recall, Zillah was ill for some time and so she needed to be placed somewhere where she could recover. Originally Cassandra wanted to spend some time in Reanmure. But Mr. Sutherland rejected it, despite his aunt living there. So while they spent sometime in Liverpool, they were then on board a Belfast boat, courtesy of Mr. Sutherland and so they went on a voyage. "After staying a night in Liverpool, instead of crossing to the opposite shore, as I expected, he put us all-that is, Zillah , the two other girls, and myself-on board the Belfast boat, and there we found ourselves floating across the Irish Channel!"(Craick, Sinah Mulock, The Half-Caste. Page 61).