that she had
acted in such a way that she might gain their interest and sympathy.
Such a thought sent the colour flaming to her cheeks; she sat up on the
sofa. She would go to them at once and show them that she was perfectly
strong and well.

The door opened and Aunt Elizabeth came in, very gently as though she
were going to steal something. She was, Maggie saw now, so little as to
be almost deformed, with a soft pale face, lined and wrinkled, and blue
watery eyes. She wore a black silk wrapper over her shoulders, and soft
black slippers. Alice in Wonderland was one of the few books that
Maggie had read in her childhood; Aunt Elizabeth reminded her strongly
of the White Queen in the second part of that masterpiece.

"Oh, you're not asleep, dear," said Aunt Elizabeth.

"No, I'm not," said Maggie. "I'm perfectly all right. I can't think
what made me behave like that. I've never done such a thing before. I'm
ashamed!"

"It was very natural," said Aunt Elizabeth. "You should have had some
tea at once. It was my fault. It's late now. Nine o'clock. My sister
suggests bed. Supper in bed. Very nice, I always think, after a long
journey. It will be fine to-morrow, I expect. We've had beautiful
weather until this morning, when it rained for an hour. Chicken and
some pudding. There's a little Australian wine that my sister keeps in
the house for accidents. I liked it myself when I had it once for
severe neuralgia."

She suddenly, with a half-nervous, half-desperate gesture, put out her
hand and took Maggie's. Her hand was soft like blanc-mange; it had
apparently no bones in it.

Maggie was touched and grateful. She liked this little shy, frightened
woman. She would do anything to please her.

"Don't think," she said eagerly, "that I've ever fainted like that
before. I assure you that I've never done anything so silly. You
mustn't think that I'm not strong. I'm strong as a horse--father always
said so. I've come to help you and Aunt Anne in any way I can. You
mustn't think that I'm going to be in the way. I only want to be
useful."

Aunt Elizabeth started and looked at the door. "I thought I heard
something," she said. They both listened.

"Perhaps it was the parrot," said Maggie.

Aunt Elizabeth smiled bravely.

"There are often noises in an old house like this," she said. The black
cat came towards them, slowly, with immense dignified indifference. He
swung his tail as though to show them that he cared for no one.