ething
very strange was the matter. The odour proceeding from the bedroom, and
that of Virginia's breath, left small doubt as to the cause of delay in
giving admittance.

Whilst Alice stood bewildered, Monica received an illumination which
instantly made clear to her many things in Virginia's daily life. At
the same moment she understood those mysterious hints concerning her
sister in Widdowson's letters.

'Come into the room,' she said abruptly. 'Come, Virgie.'

'I don't understand--why has Alice come to-night?--what's the time?'

Monica took hold of the tottering woman's arm and drew her out of the
passage. The cold air had produced its natural effect upon Virginia,
who now with difficulty supported herself.

'O Virgie!' cried the eldest sister, when the door was closed. 'What is
the matter? What does it mean?'

Already she had been shedding tears at the meeting with Monica, and now
distress overcame her; she sobbed and lamented.

'What have you been doing, Virgie?' asked Monica with severity.

'Doing? I feel a little faint--surprise--didn't expect--'

'Sit down at once. You are disgusting! Look, Alice.' She pointed to the
sugar-basin on the table; then, after a rapid glance round the room,
she went to the cupboard and threw the door open. 'I thought so. Look,
Alice. And to think I never suspected this! It has been going on a long
time--oh, a long time. She was doing it at Mrs. Conisbee's before I was
married. I remember smelling spirits--'

Virginia was making efforts to rise.

'What are you talking about?' she exclaimed in a thick voice, and with
a countenance which was changing from dazed astonishment to anger.
'It's only when I feel faint. Do you suppose I drink? Where's Alice?
Wasn't Alice here?'

'O Virgie! What _does_ it mean? How _could_ you?'

'Go to bed at once, Virginia,' said Monica. 'We're ashamed of you. Go
back into my room Alice, and I'll get her to bed.'

Ultimately this was done. With no slight trouble, Monica persuaded her
sister to undress, and got her into a recumbent position, Virginia all
the time protesting that she had perfect command of her faculties, that
she needed no help whatever, and was utterly at a loss to comprehend
the insults directed against her.

'Lie quiet and go to sleep,' was Monica's last word, uttered
contemptuously.

She extinguished the lamp and returned to her own room, where Alice was
still weeping. The unexpected arrival had already been explained to