people
were always stopping at that door. Monica wondered what it meant, who
might live there. She thought of asking the landlady.

Virginia's return aroused her. She went upstairs with her sister into
the double-bedded room which they occupied.

'What have you heard?'

'He went there. He told them everything.'

'How did Miss Nunn look? How did she speak?'

'Oh, she was very, very distant,' lamented Virginia. 'I don't quite
know why she sent for me. She said there would be no use in her coming
to see you--and I don't think she ever will. I told her that there was
no truth in--'

'But how did she look?' asked Monica impatiently.

'Not at all well, I thought. She had been away for her holiday, but it
doesn't seem to have done her much good.'

'He went there and told them everything?'

'Yes--just after it happened. But he hasn't seen them since that. I
could see they believed him. It was no use all that I said. She looked
so stern and--'

'Did you ask anything about Mr. Barfoot?'

'My dear, I didn't venture to. It was impossible. But I feel quite sure
that they must have broken off all intercourse with him. Whatever he
may have said, they evidently didn't believe it. Miss Barfoot is away
now.

'And what did you tell her about me?'

'Everything that you said I might, dear.'

'Nothing else--you are sure?'

Virginia coloured, but made asseveration that nothing else had passed
her lips.

'It wouldn't have mattered if you had,' said Monica indifferently. 'I
don't care.'

The sister, struggling with shame, was irritated by the needlessness of
her falsehood.

'Then why were you so particular to forbid me, Monica?'

'It was better--but I don't care. I don't care for anything. Let them
believe and say what they like--'

'Monica, if I find out at last that you have deceived me--'

'Oh, do, do, do be quiet!' cried the other wretchedly. 'I shall go
somewhere and live alone--or die alone. You worry me--I'm tired of it.'

'You are not very grateful, Monica.'

'I can't be grateful! You must expect nothing from me. If you keep
talking and questioning I shall go away. I don't care what becomes of
me. The sooner I die the better.'

Scenes such as this had been frequent lately. The sisters were a great
trial to each other's nerves. Tedium and pain drove Monica to the
relief of altercation, and Virginia, through her secret vice, was
losing all self-control. They wrangled, wailed, talked of parting, and
only b