'Do you wish me to tell you?'
'Indeed, yes.'
'If you are in dead earnest, and seek Him, He will reveal Himself to you. But then, you must be willing to obey every word He says. Good night.'
She offered her hand. Before Miss Frere, however, could take it, up came the lady of the house.
'You are not going, Miss Gainsborough?'
'My father would be uneasy if I stayed out late.'
'Oh, well, for once! What have you two been talking about? I saw several gentlemen casting longing looks in this direction, but they did not venture to interrupt. What were you discussing?'
'Life in general,' said Betty.
'Life!' echoed the older woman, and her brow was instantly clouded. 'What is the use of talking about that? Can either of you say that her life is not a failure?'
'Miss Gainsborough will say that,' replied Betty. 'As for me, my life is a problem that I have not solved.'