"Ask if I may," she said faintly.
Barbara darted out of the room.
When she came back, Alex heard her giving orders to Holland to pack a dressing-bag with things for the night.
Then she hurried into the room again.
"They said yes," she announced. "I think they agree with me that it's much the best thing to do it at once. After all, you're only going for a little visit. Mother said I was to give you her love. She's lying down."
"Shall I go in to her?"
"You'd better not. Father's there too. I've told Holland to pack your bag. We can send the other things tomorrow."
"But I shan't want much. It's only for a little while."
"Yes, that's all, isn't it?" said Barbara quickly. "It's only for a little while. Shall I fetch your things, Alex?"
Alex was relieved to be spared the ascent to the top of the house, for which her limbs felt far too weary. She sat and looked round her at the big, double drawing-room, crowded with heavy Victorian furniture, and upholstered in yellow, brocaded satin. She had always thought it a beautiful room, and the recollection of its splendour and of the big, gilt-framed pictures and mirrors that hung round its wall, was mingled with the earliest memories of her nursery days.