Mrs. Bell protested that she wanted to stop. Her _penchant_ for any form of illness enchained her. She argued that she might be needed, and only reluctantly left the room when Maggy opened her eyes and murmured a request to be alone with her friend. She lay with her face against Alexandra’s shoulder, and then began to cry, weakly but uncontrollably. "Lexie, I’ve been through Hell since I left you," she sobbed. "Suddenly I remembered you and rushed to the theater and then on here. You mustn’t! Promise me you won’t!" "Never mind me, dear. Something has upset you. Won’t you tell me? I shall understand better then." "Fred’s left me," said Maggy in a cracked voice. "He’s married! ... Never trust a man, Lexie! Never trust a man! Keep straight if you starve for it. Promise me you won’t go off like I did. I’ve come to _make_ you promise." Pity kept Alexandra silent. To make that promise would involve an avowal of her own happiness. How could she do that in face of the misery in which her poor friend was sunk? Maggy clutched at her hand. "A ring!" she cried, fearfully. "On that finger—!" "Oh, hush, dear! I—I’m quite safe. Believe me, Maggy." "But what does it mean? You wouldn’t wear a ring on that finger if—" "Maggy, darling, it means that I’m going to be married." Maggy sat up the better to look at her. One glance at Alexandra’s clear, illumined face told her that in some wondrously blest way her future had been happily arranged. All thought of her own disaster temporarily vanished in the joy she felt for the safety of her friend. "That’s all right," she said with a sigh of relief. "Lexie ... have you got anything to eat?" XLIV Although she had eaten nothing since breakfast that morning, a few biscuits and the remainder of Mrs. Bell’s brandy sufficed Maggy. "Now I’ll go," she said, getting up. "I was in a fearful state about you, but now that everything has turned out so splendidly I feel quite all right again. Bless your sweet face, Lexie. I’d like to kiss you only I’m such a bad creature." Her lips trembled. "Nonsense! Then I’ll kiss you." Alexandra did so. "You’re not going to-night, Maggy. You’ve got to stay here with me. We’ll tuck in together. Here’s a nightie." "Tuck in—with you!" Maggy repeated. "But, Lexie—I’m not—like you." "Nothing that’s happened can make any difference between us, Maggy. Try and forget you ever left me. Get undressed, dear." Very soon they were lying together in the little bed in the darkness. Alexandra did not talk. She wanted Maggy to get to sleep. It was so evident that she needed it. Half-an-hour passed in silence. A whisper from Maggy broke it. "Asleep, Lexie?" "No, dear." "Have you enough room?" "Heaps." "May I have your hand to hold, Lexie? I feel so lonely." "You poor pet!" Alexandra’s hand sought hers. "Lexie ... may I tell you things?" "Yes, if it helps."