"But what is it? What is it?" asked Lady Nottingham.
A hansom jingled round the corner and stopped just below at the front door.
"The girls are back," said Jeannie. "Daisy is sure to come and see if I am up. I wonder why they are home so early. You must go, dear Alice. I will tell you about it to-morrow. I am so tired, so suddenly and frightfully tired."
Lady Nottingham got up.
"Yes, I will go," she said. "Oh, Jeannie, you are not exaggerating things in your mind? Can't you tell me now?"
"No, my dear, it would take too long. Ah, there is Daisy."
A gentle tap sounded at the door; it was softly opened, and Daisy, seeing the light inside, came in.
"Ah, but how wicked of you, Aunt Jeannie," she said, "when you told me you were going to bed early. Yes, we are early too, but it was stupid and crowded, and so Gladys and I came away. Oh, you darling, it is nice to know you are here! But how tired you look!"
"Yes, dear, I am tired," said Jeannie. "I was just sending Aunt Alice away. And you must go away too. But it was dear of you just to look in to say good-night."
When the two had gone Jeannie sat down again in the window, her head resting on her hands, thinking vividly, intently.