"Auntie's just fallen..." (her voice died suddenly for an instant, as she saw him looking at her)--then she finished--"just fallen asleep. Will ... you come up presently ... Laurie?"
Every word was an effort, as she looked steadily into the eyes that looked so steadily into hers.
It was Laurie--yes--but, good God...!
"You must just kiss her and come away," she said, driving out the words with effort after effort. "She has a bad headache this evening.... Laurie--a bad headache."
With a sudden twitch she turned away from those eyes.
"Come, Laurie," she said. And she heard his steps following her.
They passed so through the inner hall and upstairs: and, without turning again, holding herself steady only by the consciousness that some appalling catastrophe was imminent if she did not, she opened the door of the old lady's room.
"Here he is," she said. "Now, Laurie, just kiss her and come away."
"My dearest," came the old voice from the gloom, and two hands were lifted.
Maggie watched, as the tall figure came obediently forward, in an indescribable terror. It was as when one watches a man in a tiger's den.... But the figure bent obediently, and kissed.
Maggie instantly stepped forward.
"Not a word," she said. "Auntie's got a headache. Yes, Auntie, he's very well; you'll see him in the morning. Go out at once, please, Laurie."
Without a word he passed out, and, as she closed the door after him, she heard him stop irresolute on the landing.
"My dearest child," came the peevish old voice, "you might have allowed my own son--"
"No, no, Auntie, you really mustn't. I know how bad your head is ... yes, yes; he's very well. You'll see him in the morning."
And all the while she was conscious of the figure that must be faced again presently, waiting on the landing.
"Shall I go and see that everything's all right in his room?" she said. "Perhaps they've forgotten--"
"Yes, my dearest, go and see. And send Charlotte to me."
The old voice was growing drowsy again.
Maggie went out swiftly without a word. There again stood the figure waiting. The landing lamp had been forgotten. She led the way to his room.
"Come, Laurie," she said. "I'll just see that everything's all right."
She found the matches again, lighted the candles, and set them on his table, still without a look at that face that turned always as she went.