"Are you sure she will be all right?" whispered Olga. "Quite sure," he said. She turned her attention to the bottle also. "What is that stuff?" she asked. He looked at her, and for an instant she saw his sardonic smile. "It's sudden death if you take enough of it," he said. "Yes, I know," said Olga. "It's what you call 'the pain-killer,' isn't it?" "Exactly," said Max, "Hence the legend on the label. But what do you know about the pain-killer? Who told you about it? I know I didn't." "It was Mrs. Briggs," said Olga, and then turned hotly crimson under his eyes. There fell a sudden silence; then, "You go back to bed," said Max. "And you are to settle down and sleep, mind. Don't lie awake and listen." "You are sure she will sleep till morning?" said Olga, lingering by the bed. "Yes." He put his hand on her shoulder, and wheeled her towards the door. "There's Nick waiting to tuck you up. Run along! I am going myself immediately." She went, more to escape from his presence than for any other reason. There was undoubtedly something formidable about Max Wyndham at that moment notwithstanding his light speech, something that underlay his silence, making her curiously afraid thereof. She did not lie and listen when she returned to bed, but a very long time passed before she slept. CHAPTER XV THE AWAKENING Olga slept late on the following morning, awaking at length with a wild sense of dismay at having done so. She leaped up as the vivid memory of the night's happenings rushed upon her, and, seizing her dressing-gown, ran out into the passage and so to Violet's room. Very softly she turned the door-handle, and peeped in. The curtains were drawn, but the morning-breeze blew them inwards, admitting the full daylight. Violet was lying awake with her face to the door. "That you, Allegro? Come in!" she called. "I've had the oddest night." Olga slipped in and went to her. The beautiful eyes were very wide open. They gazed up at her wonderingly. The forehead above them was slightly drawn. "I've been dead," said Violet slowly. "I've just come to life." "My darling!" Olga said. "Yes. Isn't it queer? It was so strange, Allegro. I went right up to the very door of Paradise. But I suffered a lot first. I suffered--horribly. And when I got there--the door was shut in my face." Violet uttered a curious little laugh that had in it a note of pain. "That was when I died," she said. Olga stooped to kiss her. "It was a dream," she said. "Oh, but it wasn't," said Violet. She threw her arms unexpectedly around Olga's neck, and held her very tightly, as if she were afraid. "Allegro," she said under her breath, "I believe I left my soul behind. It's up there, waiting for the door to open. I hope it won't get lost." The words sent a sharp chill through Olga. She held her friend closely, protectingly. "Darling, I don't think you are quite awake yet," she said very tenderly. "Stay in bed for a little while, and I'll dress and get your breakfast."