As she took the tea from Philia's hands she gave her the note.
"Send this by district messenger. Go at once, there's a dear."
"Won't yer tell me what's the matter, my pet? It's all troublin' me, it is, straight."
"There's nothing to worry about in a bad night, is there, now? When you come back don't wake me. I'm going to sleep again if I can."
But Evarne did not leave it to chance. When she had nearly finished her tea she produced a tiny blue bottle from the drawer of the washing-stand, carefully counted out five-and-twenty drops, shook her cup round several times, then swallowed tea and chlorodyne together to the last dreg. Lowering the blind she got back into bed and was soon fast asleep.
It was three o'clock before she descended to the sitting-room. On the table was a cluster of sweet-peas and roses, together with a note.
"Did Mr. Danvers send these?" she inquired, as she tore open the envelope.
"'E brought 'em 'imself. My gosh, dearie, 'e is properly careful of you. 'E knocked so soft I 'ardly 'eard 'im, and 'e looked that worried."
"So I've already started to grieve him," reflected Evarne grimly, as she proceeded to read his letter.