Hilda went away, but returned almost immediately to say that Kitty wished to see Aldyth at once.
"I am not to come in," Hilda said, as she opened the bedroom door. "Kitty wants to have you to herself."
A folding screen stood near the door. Aldyth had to advance to the other side of it ere she saw Kitty. Then she received a painful thrill. The pale, worn face, with its strained look of suffering, was so unlike the face of her old friend; the eyes, unnaturally large and dark in contrast to the shrunken features, met hers with a pathetic appeal for sympathy.
Kitty's lips moved, but no sound passed them. The sight of Aldyth was too much. Emotion could no longer be suppressed. A sudden rush of tears made speech impossible.
"Kitty!" was all Aldyth could say.
Then she cast herself on her knees beside the bed, clasping Kitty's hand and showering kisses on it.
Mrs. Bland's knitting lay upon a chair. It was well that she had been called away. Kitty's overburdened heart was relieving itself by passionate sobs; the tears rained down her cheeks as fast as Aldyth could wipe them away. Aldyth had no words to give her, only tears and kisses; but these were not without power to soothe. Gradually the storm passed. Kitty made an effort to quiet her sobs.
"Forgive me, Aldyth," she said brokenly. "You cannot know what it is."
"No, I cannot know," Aldyth's words faltered too; "but I feel for you so much."
"I know you do. Every one feels for me; I almost wish they did not. If I could cry out, it would be easier, but I cannot give way for their sake. It is hard enough for mother as it is."