"I was an idiot to ever say such a thing," June cried in a rage. "And you're a bigger idiot if you pretend to think I was right. There's nothing better in the whole world than being loved----" Her face flushed like a rose. "If Micky had cared for me even a quarter as well as he does for you I would have married him, and that's the truth," she declared. "It was only because I knew he hadn't anything except friendship to offer me that I knew it wasn't fair...." She tried to cover the seriousness of her words with a laugh. She lit another cigarette. "And now, having got rid of my heroics, let's talk sense," she added more calmly. "But you ought to go to bed. You look worn out. You'll be a wreck in the morning." "I don't want to go to bed. I have such a lot to tell you. I shall have to leave here, of course; I haven't got any money. I must try and find a post. I thought of asking Eldred's to take me back; there might be a vacancy now...." But her voice sounded weary and hopeless. June swooped down on her. "You poor tired baby, come along to bed and don't worry any more. You've got me whatever happens, and if the worst comes to the worst there's always June Mason's wonderful skin food for both of us to live on." They went upstairs together. "There's nothing like sunshine to put you on good terms with yourself," she said philosophically. "Whenever I'm in the dumps or feel that I'm looking particularly plain, I put on my best hat and go out in the sunshine, and I assure you I'm a good-looking woman when I come home again." "You're always better than good-looking," Esther told her. CHAPTER XXXIII June tucked Esther up in bed and replenished the fire. She turned out the gas, leaving the room fire-lit. "June," Esther said timidly. "What did your aunt think? What did she say--when--when----" "She said we must go back and finish our visit another time--she took a great fancy to you." "You're saying that to please me." "I'm not! honest Injun!" June heard the tears in Esther's voice; she bent and kissed her gently. "Now, not another word! I refuse to answer another question! Pleasant dreams--or better still, no dreams at all." She went away, and shut her door behind her. Esther lay awake for a long time watching the firelight on the walls and ceiling, and thinking of what had happened. It seemed impossible that she had even really seen and spoken to Raymond Ashton; impossible that instead of loving him desperately, she could only shudder at the memory of him. The tears forced their way to her eyes, and scorched her cheeks. But for Micky, where might she not have been now?--and he had refused to even let her thank him. Her heart was filled with a new humility. At best her words would be so poor--like beggars in the palace of his generosity.