Gwen was conscious that they were examining her; that they knew she was
pretty--they could not deny her prettiness. She felt a glow of pride in
her youth and in her power--her power over a man who commanded other
men. And this drawing-room was hers. She glanced at the portrait over
the fireplace.

"Mr. Thing-um-bob," she said dimpling, "is looking very sly this
evening."

May Dashwood took up her book again and turned over a few pages, as if
she had lost her place. Lady Dashwood did not smile or speak. Gwen made
a movement nearer to Lady Dashwood.

"Good night," she said. She seemed to have a sudden intention of bending
down, perhaps to kiss Lady Dashwood. Vague thoughts possessed the girl
that this rather incomprehensible and imposing elderly woman, who wore
such nice rings, was going to be a relation of hers. Would she be her
sister-in-law? How funny to have anybody so old for a sister-in-law! It
was a good thing she had, after all, so little influence over Dr.
Middleton.

"Good night, Gwen," said Lady Dashwood, without appearing to notice the
girl's movement towards her. "Sleep well, child," she added and she
turned her head towards May Dashwood.

Gwen hesitated a brief moment, and then walked away. "I always sleep
well," she said, with a laugh. "I once thought it would be so nice to
wake up in the night, because one would know how comfy one was. But I
did wake once--for about a quarter of an hour--and I soon got tired and
hated it!"

At the door she turned and said, "Good night, Mrs. Dashwood. I quite
forgot--how rude of me!"

"Good night," said May.

The door closed.

Lady Dashwood stared deeply at her book, and then raised her eyes
suddenly to her niece.

May had risen from her chair. "Do you mind, dear Aunt Lena, if I go off
too?" She came close to Lady Dashwood and laid a caressing hand on her
shoulder.

Lady Dashwood looked up into her face, and May was startled at the
expression of suffering in the eyes.

"Go, dear, if you want to! I shall stay up--till he comes in. Yes, go,
May!"

"You won't feel lonely?" said May, and she sighed without knowing that
she did so.

"No," said Lady Dashwood.

May bent down and kissed her aunt's brow. It was burning hot. She
caressed her cheek with her hand, then kissed her again and went out. As
May met the cooler air of the staircase, she murmured to herself, "I'm a
coward to leave her alone--alone when she is so wretched. Oh, what a
coward I am!"

S