"There's nothing to worry about in a bad night, is there, now? When you come back don't wake me. I'm going to sleep again if I can." But Evarne did not leave it to chance. When she had nearly finished her tea she produced a tiny blue bottle from the drawer of the washing-stand, carefully counted out five-and-twenty drops, shook her cup round several times, then swallowed tea and chlorodyne together to the last dreg. Lowering the blind she got back into bed and was soon fast asleep. It was three o'clock before she descended to the sitting-room. On the table was a cluster of sweet-peas and roses, together with a note. "Did Mr. Danvers send these?" she inquired, as she tore open the envelope. "'E brought 'em 'imself. My gosh, dearie, 'e is properly careful of you. 'E knocked so soft I 'ardly 'eard 'im, and 'e looked that worried." "So I've already started to grieve him," reflected Evarne grimly, as she proceeded to read his letter. "MY POOR PRECIOUS DARLING, "I can't tell you how terrible it is to me to think of you as weak and suffering ... my bright-eyed, rosy-lipped Evarne. And I feel that really it is all my fault in one way and another.... I'm sure it is not surprising that yesterday should have upset you.... It's a delicate, sensitive soul, I know, for all the glorious vitality of the flesh. Only get well quickly, my best and dearest, and I'll guard you better in future. Get strong quickly, for my sake, who love you so, and you shall have permission to smash every vase in the studio to your heart's content ... you darling! "GEOFF." She put this little note in the bosom of her gown, as she went out to the kitchen in response to Philia's call to dinner. After the little meal she got out her drawing materials, and made some pretence at working. But her pencil moved almost mechanically over the paper as her mind rehearsed all she could possibly find to say to Morris--the pleas, the arguments she could place before him to turn him from his present purpose. Slowly though time crept, she watched its steady progress with dismay, and as the afternoon waned there arose within her an ever-increasing fear, not so much of the interview that loomed ahead, as of its result. She tried to force herself to think only hopefully regarding its issue, but all the time in her innermost consciousness she seemed to know that failure was a foregone conclusion. How futile to strive to alter Morris's set determination--above all when, for once in his life, he would be able to flatter himself that he was standing firm in the cause of right and justice. CHAPTER XXXVI A FRESH VOW By six o'clock the sedentary occupation had become too trying. Evarne changed her dressing-gown for a coat and skirt, and went out.