"Going to bed!" echoed Ann. "Oh, please, don't! Are you not well? Have you taken cold?"
"I don't know and I don't care," was the reckless response; "I only want to be left in peace. Do go away."
Ann did as she was requested, but by-and-by her kind heart prompted her to return. This time she opened the door softly, and, entering the room, crossed to the bed. She could not see Violet very plainly, for there was no light in the room save that which the stars gave—Violet had pulled up the blind before getting into bed—but she guessed that she was not asleep, and, stooping over her, she imprinted a kiss on her forehead. The next minute Violet's arms were around her neck and the kiss was warmly returned.
[CHAPTER XVIII]
AGNES HOSKING APOLOGISES
"VIOLET, it is time to get up."
Violet started up in bed and saw Ann standing by her side, fully dressed. The bright, morning sunshine had been streaming into the room for hours, but it had failed to awaken Violet, who, after Ann had left her on the previous night, had lain awake till nearly daybreak, too agitated to rest, and then had fallen into a heavy, dreamless sleep.
"Is it very late?" she asked, as she yawned and rubbed her eyes.
"It's nearly breakfast-time. Get up and dress as quickly as you can; and, Violet, I waited up till mother and father came home last night and told them all about Agnes Hosking—I mean about her suspicion of you."
"Well?" questioned Violet, anxiously; "they don't believe that I know anything about the purse, do they?"