She laughed again, a little spurt of joyless merriment. Upon that, in the same moment, followed a loud hysterical cry; then sobs and wailing, with movements as if to tear open the clothing that choked her. Sibyl hastened away, and returned with her vinaigrette, which she handed to Rolfe. But already the crisis was over. Alma lay back in a chair, sobbing quietly, with head bent aside. Carnaby and his wife, after an exchange of signals, silently left the room. Rolfe paced backwards and forwards for a minute or two, until he heard his name spoken; then he drew near, and Alma looked at him with her own eyes once more. 'I won't go back home unless you wish, Harvey.' 'Do you feel able to go?' 'If you wish me. If not, I'll go somewhere else.' He sat down by her. 'Are you yourself, Alma? Do you know what you are saying?' 'Yes--indeed I do. I know I lost myself; my head went round; but I am well again now.' 'Then tell me in a word--is there any reason why you should _not_ go home with me?' 'What's the use? You won't believe me. You can't believe me!' He grasped her hand, and spoke imperatively, but not unkindly. 'Stop that! Answer me, and I will believe what you say.' 'There is no reason. I have done no wrong.' 'Then come, if you feel able to.' She rose without help, and walked to a mirror, at which she arranged her dress. Harvey opened the door, and found all quiet. He led her through the passage, out into the common staircase, and down into the street. Here she whispered to him that a faintness was upon her; it would pass if she could have some restorative. They found a four-wheeled cab, and drove to a public-house, where Rolfe obtained brandy and brought it out to her. Then, wishing to avoid the railway station until Alma had recovered her strength, he bade the cabman drive on to Notting Hill Gate. 'May I sit at your side?' she asked, bending towards him in the darkness, when they had been silent for a few minutes. Harvey replied by changing his own place. 'I want to tell you,' she resumed, her face near to his. 'I can't wait, and know you are thinking about me. There isn't much to tell. Are you sure you can believe me?' 'I have promised that I will.' 'I don't ask you to be kind or to love me. You will never love me again. Only believe that I tell the truth, that's all. I am not like that woman.' 'Tell me,' he urged impatiently. 'I wanted to make use of Mr. Redgrave to use his influence with people in society, so that I could have a great success. I knew he wasn't to be trusted, but I had no fear; I could trust myself. I never said or did anything--it was only meeting him at people's houses and at concerts, and telling him what I hoped for. You couldn't take any interest in my music, and you had no faith in my power to make a success. I wanted to show you that you were wrong.' 'I was wrong in more ways than one,' said Harvey.