"No, I haven't gone long journeys by train; but I will take you to your room and draw down the blinds, and you can go to sleep."
"May I? That is what I want more than anything else. If I could sleep for half-an-hour I should feel better."
"You shall, of course," said Irene.
She walked slowly through the house, holding this small, dependent creature by the hand. Was she not her guest? She forgot all about poor Miss Frost, whose heart was devoured with jealousy; for little Agnes, in the olden times, had clung to her. Now she clung close to Irene.
"You are so nice," she said, "and so pretty! I am glad I am coming to spend the holidays with you."
"Are you?" said Irene, with a queer look.
James the footman saw them as they went upstairs; and Lady Jane stood at the drawing-room door, but made no sign.
Irene presently reached the small but very prettily arranged room which the little girl was to occupy.
"This room opens out of Frosty's," she said.
"Who is Frosty?" asked the child.