When they arrived at Elm Tree Place, Victoria forced Betty to drink some brandy, to tell her how Farwell had sent her a message, asking her to send him Victoria, how she had waited for her.
'Oh, it was awful,' whispered Betty, 'the maid said you'd be late . . . she said I mustn't wait because you might not . . .'
'Not come home alone?' said Victoria in a frozen voice.
'Oh, I can't bear it, I can't bear it.' Betty flung herself into her friend's arms, wildly weeping.
Victoria soothed her, made her undress. As Betty grew more collected she let drop a few words.
'Oh, so then you too are happy?' said Victoria smiling faintly.
'You love?' A burning blush rose over Betty's face.
That night, as in the old Finsbury days, they lay in one another's arms and Victoria grappled with her sorrow. Gentle, almost motherly, she watched over this young life; blushing, full of promise, preparing already to replace the dead.