“She will be going out presently,” thought the girl. “She will be going to meet that bad fellow, to give him the money—the money which has ruined my life. I shall watch her. I hate being with her, and yet I cannot keep away from her.”
She waited for Annie to speak again.
“Do you want to go?” she said.
“No; I cannot go this evening,” said Annie; “but it will be all right for you, Leslie. You will go, will you not?”
“I shall stay with you.” said Leslie in a dogged sort of voice.
The girls who had invited them looked somewhat surprised and disappointed. They said nothing more, however; and Leslie and Annie went upstairs once more to their own room. Annie went and stood by the open window.
“What can be the matter with you?” she said, turning to her companion. “You do look very queer. You have not been a bit like yourself for the last hour or two.”
Leslie made no reply.
Annie glanced at her again.
“It is so hot to-night,” she said. “I am going out for a stroll. I may not be in until half-past ten, or even