She was thinking more readily once more,
thanks to that second magical draught, but was nevertheless conscious of a
general failing of powers drained by her great fatigue. She wished devoutly
that Victor would have done and let her go....
"Elaine is very careless, leaves her jewels scattered about, hardly
troubles to put them away securely at night. If you should be tempted to
appropriate anything, she might not discover her loss for days; and then,
again, she might. And if you were caught--consider what shame and
disgrace!"
"I think I see," the girl said, slowly, after some difficult thinking. "You
don't want me to go."
"To the contrary, I do--but I want more than anything else in the world
that my daughter should be sure of herself and fall into no irreparable
error."
"But I am sure of myself--I have told you that."
"Then let us fret no more about it, but accept, and go prepared to enjoy
ourselves. I will send the letter."
Victor rang, and Shaik Tsin presented himself so quickly that Sofia
wondered dully where he could have been waiting. In the room with them,
perhaps? It wasn't impossible. The Chinaman's thick soles of felt enabled
him to move about without making the least noise.
"Have this posted immediately."
Shaik Tsin bowed deeply, and backed away with the letter. Unless she turned
to watch him, Sofia could not say whether he left the room or not.
She offered to rise.
"If that is all ..."
"Not quite. There are certain details to be arranged; and I may not see you
again before we leave to-morrow afternoon.
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