'Ah, perhaps.'
'Well, at three o'clock in the morning, fancy my surprise to hear a knock at my door!'
'I wonder I didn't hear a knock at mine,' said Edith.
'Your husband was afraid to disturb the little girl. Most considerate, I thought. Well, he knocked at my door and said that he was unable to sleep, that he felt terribly miserable and melancholy, in fact was wretched, and that he felt on the point of cutting his throat…. Don't be frightened, dear. I don't mean that he really meant it,' said Madame Frabelle, putting her hand on Edith's.
'Poor fellow! But what a shame to disturb you.'
'I didn't mind in the least. I was only too pleased. Well, what do you think I did? I got up and dressed, went down to the library and lighted the fire, and sat up for half-an-hour with your husband trying to cheer him up!'
'Did you really?' Edith smiled. 'It was very sweet of you, Eglantine.'
'Not at all; I was only too glad. I made a cup of tea, Bruce had a whisky and soda, we had a nice talk, and I sent him back quite cheerful. Still, it just shows, doesn't it, how terribly he takes it all?'
'Rather hard on you, Eglantine; quite improper too,' laughed Edith as she rang the bell.
Madame Frabelle ignored this remark.