It was some time before her trembling limbs permitted her to drag herself from the spot; and when she gained the house and her bed she could not rest. She tossed and groaned, and at length was seized with hysterical spasms, obliging the housemaid to call for assistance.
In the meantime Roma, far less excited than Sophie, had also retired to her room and flung herself down by the open window to await impatiently the inevitable good-night chat with her mother.
"I wish she would not come. Her affection grows really tiresome at times," she muttered rebelliously, as she heard the light footsteps outside her door.
Mrs. Clarke entered and sat down close to her daughter, putting her white hand tenderly on the girl's shoulder.
"Good girl, to come in when mamma sent for you," she said caressingly, as to a child.
"You—sent—for—me!" Roma faltered, in surprise.
"Yes, by Sophie. I feared you would take cold, bareheaded out in the night air."
"I have not seen Sophie," Roma muttered sullenly, with a downcast face.
"Why did Jesse leave so soon?" continued the mother curiously.