Her mother trembled, for she knew that the vision of the night before was with her.
'Love is real; love will conquer,' said Trixy.
Grace turned to her, and for a moment there seemed to be on the dying face some faint reflection of the fire and enthusiasm that shone from that of the living. 'Thank you, Trixy,' she murmured, 'say that again. It does me good.'
'But it is true—it is true—how could anything else be?' cried the young girl. 'Love is real—it is strong—it is the strongest—it conquers everything—we know it—we who have felt.' And then sudden tears dimmed the lustre of her eyes, and she bent her head. 'Grace, dearest,' she whispered. 'Our love is calling you. Won't you—won't you—stay?' For an instant the large grey eyes, that were fixed on Trixy's face, seemed to lose their steadfastness.
'Life is very sweet,' murmured Grace, 'to go on—to know—to love—to see the world opening out——'
'Life is beautiful,' said Trixy. 'Life is divine. You shall not die. It would be cruel.'
'Hush! Hush!' said Lady Elton. 'Do you see?'
A faint colour had tinged the white face on the pillow, and the large eyes had filled with tears. Trixy turned away with a sob in her throat.
A little later they brought her food. She tried her hardest to eat, but she could not. Presently her mother saw her lips moving and bent over her. 'I have been thinking about it,' she said faintly. 'I am afraid my heart and brain are weak. I can't bear things as others do. If I stayed I should be a trouble to you. Tell Trixy,' and then again, in a still lower voice, 'somewhere else I may understand better.'