As she kissed her she wondered why her Aunt Lena had never asked her how
long she was going to stay. Why hadn't she told her after seeing the
doctor, and got it over? The Warden knew and yet did not say a word, but
that was different!

Should she tell her aunt now? She hesitated. No, it might perhaps make
her wakeful. It would be better to give her nothing to think about.
There would be time to-morrow. She would tell her before breakfast, on
the way downstairs. It would be giving her long enough notice if she put
off her journey till the late afternoon. And there _was_ no need to
leave on Monday till the late afternoon.

"You are going down into the drawing-room again?" said Lady Dashwood.

"Yes; you must sleep well, dear," said May, bending down and kissing
her.

"Oh, very well," said Lady Dashwood, closing her eyes.

Later on disturbing thoughts came to her. Why had May ceased to show any
emotion? Why had she become quiet and self-contained? That wasn't a good
sign. And what about to-morrow? Did she mean to go? She had said
nothing, but she might have made up her mind to go. And there was Jim
going in and out and doing _nothing_! Oh, why couldn't the dear things
see that they were made for one another? Why couldn't they go about
mysterious, blown up with self-importance--and engaged?

When Louise came in she found her mistress still awake.

"Louise, before you settle me, see if Mrs. Dashwood has gone to bed.
Don't disturb her, of course."

"Bien, Madame," said Louise; and she left the room with the air of one
who is going to fathom a mystery.

"What a nuisance Louise is," sighed Lady Dashwood, turning on her
pillow. She did not turn her head again when Louise came back.

"Madame is not in her room," said Louise, in a voice of profound
interest, and she waited to hear the result.

"Oh!" said Lady Dashwood, brightening a little. "Well, Louise, light a
night light and leave it at the other end of the room, so that the light
doesn't come on my face! I don't want to be in complete darkness or the
Warden will not come in. He will think I am asleep."

"Madame will not sleep?" demanded Louise.

"Of course I shall sleep," said Lady Dashwood, and she began thinking
again.

CHAPTER XXXI

A FAREWELL

When May went back again to the drawing-room she did not sit down
immediately but walked round, taking up the books that were lying about.
Some she had read, and the book she had taken up by accident befo