teaming at her elbow. At
nine she had mixed the third; it must last a long time, for the bottle
was now empty.

The novel entertained her, but she often let her thoughts stray from
it; she reflected with exultation that to-night's indulgence was her
very last. On the morrow she would be a new woman. Alice and she would
devote themselves to their poor sister, and never rest till they had
restored her to a life of dignity. This was a worthy, a noble task;
success in it must need minister to her own peace. Before long they
would all be living at Clevedon--a life of ideal contentment. It was no
longer necessary to think of the school, but she would exert herself
for the moral instruction of young women--on the principles inculcated
by Rhoda Nunn.

The page before her was no longer legible; the book dropped from her
lap. Why this excited her laughter she could not understand; but she
laughed for a long time, until her eyes were dim with tears. It might
be better to go to bed. What was the hour? She tried vainly to read her
watch, and again laughed at such absurd incapacity. Then--

Surely that was a knock at her door? Yes; it was repeated, with a
distinct calling of her name. She endeavoured to stand up.

'Miss Madden!' It was the landlady's voice. 'Miss Madden! Are you in
bed yet?'

Virginia succeeded in reaching the door.

'What is it?'

Another voice spoke.

'It is I, Virginia. I have come this evening instead of to-morrow.
Please let me come in.'

'Alice? You can't--I'll come--wait downstairs.'

She was still able to understand the situation, and able, she thought,
to speak coherently, to disguise her condition. The things on the table
must be put out of sight. In trying to do this, she upset her glass and
knocked the empty bottle on to the floor. But in a few minutes bottle,
glass, and spirit-kettle were hidden away. The sugar-basin she lost
sight of; it still remained in its former place.

Then she opened the door, and with uncertain step went out into the
passage.

'Alice!' she called aloud.

At once both her sisters appeared, coming out of Monica's chamber.
Monica had partly dressed herself.

'Why have you come to-night?' Virginia exclaimed, in a voice which
seemed to her own ears perfectly natural.

She tottered, and was obliged to support herself against the wall. The
light from her room fell full upon her, and Alice, who had stepped
forward to give her a kiss, not only saw, but smelt, that som