Virginia added to the spirit twice its quantity of water, standing,
as she did so, half turned from the bar. Then she sipped hurriedly
two or three times, and at length took a draught. Colour flowed to
her cheeks; her eyes lost their frightened glare. Another draught
finished the stimulant. She hastily wiped her lips, and walked away
with firm step.

In the meantime a threatening cloud had passed from the sun; warm
rays fell upon the street and its clamorous life. Virginia felt
tired in body, but a delightful animation, rarest of boons, gave her
new strength. She walked into Trafalgar Square and viewed it like a
person who stands there for the first time, smiling, interested. A
quarter of an hour passed whilst she merely enjoyed the air, the
sunshine, and the scene about her. Such a quarter of an hour--so
calm, contented, unconsciously hopeful--as she had not known since
Alice's coming to London.

She reached the house by half-past one, bringing in a paper bag
something which was to serve for dinner. Alice had a wretched
appearance; her head ached worse than ever.

'Virgie,' she moaned, 'we never took account of illness, you know.'

'Oh, we must keep that off,' replied the other, sitting down with a
look of exhaustion. She smiled, but no longer as in the sunlight of
Trafalgar Square.

'Yes, I must struggle against it. We will have dinner as soon as
possible. I feel faint.'