The girl took the note and left the room. Fanny looked inquiringly at her sister. There was something in her manner which she did not like. At last she said hesitatingly:
"I'm so sorry about last night, dear."
"Don't, please!" said Virginia, quickly raising her hand.
"Have you seen him this morning?"
"No."
"Then you don't know how he is?"
"Oh, yes, I do."
"How do you know?"
"Previous experience," said Virginia bitterly.
Fanny took both her sister's hands in hers and gently drew her to her breast as a mother, full of gentle pity, would caress and console an unhappy child. For a moment Virginia tried to keep back the flood of tears that were choking her utterance, but the effort was too great and suddenly, with a stifled moan of distress, she broke into a torrent of passionate weeping.