At that moment she heard light, swift footsteps on the stairs, and instantly her mind was made up, and she came out into the broad passage just as Archie was opposite her door. His face was eager and alert; there was no trace of intoxication there.
"Hullo, Jessie," he said, smiling. "Not gone to bed yet?"
She had to be wise: mere helpless prayer would avail nothing if she did not exert herself and make use of her wits and her love.
"No: I didn't feel sleepy," she said. "You don't look sleepy either. Are you going to bed?"
"No, not yet," said Archie.
Jessie came a step closer to him.
"Oh, Archie, are you going to talk to Martin?" she asked. "Mayn't I come? I should so love to, for I know all that Martin means to you. You know I did hear him talking to you before. It would be lovely if I could hear you talking together, so that I knew what he said."
Archie looked at her.
"Well, I don't know why not," he said. "But you must promise not to interrupt. Perhaps you'll neither hear nor see anything. But I don't see why you shouldn't try. It's just a seance. Come along, Jessie."
He led the way into his bedroom, and shut the door.