that plainly, and she was prepared to suffer; she was anxious to
suffer and be justified.

The coals in the grate began to fade, the room was cold and she was
tired. Slowly she continued her undressing, throwing down her dainty
garments with the indifference of her fatigue. She feared her thoughts
would stand between her and sleep, but, when she lay down, warmth
gradually stole over her and soothed her into forgetfulness. She
slept, but she waked to unusual sounds in the house: a door opened,
there were footsteps on the landing and then a voice, shrill and
frightened. She jumped out of bed. Sophia was on the landing; Rose was
just opening her door; Susan, decently covered by a puritanical
dressing-gown, had been roused by the noise. Caroline was in pain,
Sophia said. She was breathing with great difficulty. 'I told her she
ought to take a shawl,' Sophia sobbed.

Fires had to be lighted, water boiled and flannels warmed, and the
voice of Caroline was heard in gasping expostulation. Henrietta
dressed quickly. 'I'm going for the doctor,' she told Rose, who was
already putting on her coat, and Henrietta noticed that she still wore
her evening gown. She had not been to bed, and for a moment Henrietta
forgot her Aunt Caroline and stared at her Aunt Rose.

'I am going,' Rose said quietly. 'Oh, hadn't you better stay here?
Aunt Sophia is in such a fuss.'

'We'll go together,' Rose said. 'I can't let you go alone.'

Henrietta laughed a little. This care was so unnecessary for one who
had given herself to a future full of peril.