Alice roused herself further.
"No—there is the meeting afterward. You said you were going."
"I'd rather come back to you."
"No, dear—no. I'm—I'm better alone. Good night, kind angel. It's nothing"—she raised herself in the chair—"only bad nights! I'll go to bed—that'll be best. Go down—give him tea. And Mrs. Flaxman's going with you?"
"No. Mother said she wished to go," said Mary, slowly. "She and I were to meet in the village."
Alice nodded feebly, too weak to show the astonishment she felt.
"Just time. The meeting is at seven."
Then with a sudden movement—"Hester!—is she gone?"
"I met her and the maid—in the village—as I came in."
A silence—till Alice roused herself again—"Go dear, don't miss the meeting. I—I want you to be there. Good night."