She had contracted a habit of speaking to herself, and was scarcely conscious that she was uttering audible words.
"I don't mean to stand it long," she said presently. "I've come to London for something, and if he doesn't do what he ought to, I'll put an end to it. As I'm a living woman, I'll put an end to it! I don't care much which way it is. I've nothing to live for now!"
She sat down and covered her face with her hands; the candle had been spluttering and, being now at its last gasp, went out. The woman was left in darkness. It suited her mood. The sound of water slowly dropping outside attracted her attention. She removed her hands from her face, and listened; as she listened she followed the rhythm with the sound of her voice.
The pattering of the drops and her accompaniment fascinated her.
"Drip, drip, drip!" she continued to murmur, and did not stop till another sound diverted her attention. The door of the room was sharply opened, and Mrs. Flower entered. The woman stirred in her chair.
"Is that you, Prue?" asked Mrs. Flower. "Stop a minute; I'll get a light."
"No," replied the woman, "it isn't Prue."
"My God!" cried Mrs. Flower, "whose voice is that?"
She groped for the end of a candle, and lit it; holding it up, she looked at her visitor, who had risen, and was facing her.
"Yes, Janey, it's me. You're not glad to see me, I dare say, after all these years."
"How can you say that? How long have you been here, and where's Prue?"
"I've been here--I don't know how long, and there was no one in the room when I came in. Who's Prue?"
"My little girl. Where can she have got to? I forgot, Janey. I didn't have a baby when----" She paused.
"Finish it," said Martha. "When I ran away and disgraced myself."
"O Martha!" said Mrs. Fowler, throwing her arms round her sister and kissing her, "don't think I'm hard on you. God knows I've no call to be hard on anyone, least of all on you. We all make mistakes."
"And have got to pay for them. Thank you for your welcome, Janey; it's more than I deserve."
"You're my sister, and I love you, Martha. Sit down, sit down, and tell me everything. How often I've wondered what had become of you! But I'm worried about Prue. I left her here with her father when I went out."