The next day, Mlle Julie went to Paris; she hoped to be back for dinner; she wasn't sure.
We gathered that Mlle Cara had one of her bad migraines. Frau Riesener was in and out of her room all day, looking after her. She was to have a sleeping-draught at night—the usual thing in those days, before tabloids or cachets were invented. We were told to creep to bed as quietly as possible so as not to disturb her.
"Frau Riesener's tired," Signorina said to me after dinner. "She has gone to bed too and she wants me to prepare the draught and give it to Mlle Cara. But I'm not going to. I've told her she'd better give Miss Smith instructions. She's quite trustworthy."
Early in bed, I dozed off and slept restlessly for two or three hours. Once I thought I heard footsteps in the passage and listened eagerly. But no; it was some one else, and I didn't hear Mlle Julie's carriage drive up till much later. I looked at my watch; it was nearly twelve. Then my listening began. I must hear her walk past my door before I should be able to sleep again. She delayed a shorter time than usual that night, and sooner than I expected I heard her step at the end of the long corridor. Rapid at first, it became slower and slower as it drew near, seemed to be faltering, came to a stop. She was outside my door. The handle turned and she came in. I could hardly see her in the dark. She came up to my bed and sat down on it. My arms were round her neck, my head on her shoulder. She pressed me to her.
"I'm tired; I'm weak," she murmured. Then almost passionately, but below her breath, she cried:
"My purest joys have been spoilt. Even my thoughts have been spoilt. Even my inmost self. But I have no joys now. I must say good-bye now to everything I have loved. To you too, Olivia, Olivia."
She bent her head to kiss me and I felt her tears on my cheek.
And so I lay a moment longer in her arms, my head upon her shoulder, weeping too.
Only a moment. She disengaged herself gently, and as I still clung desperately to her hands, holding them to my heart, she said, almost sternly, "Let me go, Olivia."
I obeyed.
As the door closed behind her, I lay down in my bed and buried my face in my pillow.
* * *
But what was this that suddenly disturbed me? What frightful clamour? My door was flung violently open. Mlle Julie was standing there, a candle in her hand, terror on her face.
"Quick! Quick!" she cried in a hoarse, unrecognizable voice. "Go and fetch Signorina and Frau Riesener. Something's the matter with Mlle Cara. Run! Run!"
I dashed out of bed and without stopping to put on dressing-gown or slippers sped down the dark passage, up the stairs, which were dimly lighted by nightlights top and bottom, and flung open Signorina's door. I knew she would be awake.
"Quick! Quick!" I cried breathlessly, "There's something the matter—— Mlle Julie—— Mlle Cara—— She wants you."
Signorina was out of bed, clutching me.
"The matter with whom?" she cried.
"Mlle Cara. Mlle Cara. I must go now and call Frau Riesener."
She held me back. "What is it? What is it?"
"I don't know. Go to her quick."
Again I tore along the passage to Frau Riesener's room at the other end. I had a harder task there. I knocked at the door; I almost battered on it. Then I opened it and called:
"Frau Riesener! Frau Riesener! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!"
"What is it?" she said at last.
"You're wanted downstairs. Quick!—— Mlle Cara—— There's something the matter."
