Alma looked self-conscious, kept her eyes down, and at length nodded.

‘Yes.  I think I understand.’

’That’s why I said “provided”.  You are not the ordinary girl, and you won’t imagine that I feared for you; I know you too well.  It’s a question of being informed and on one’s guard.  I don’t think there’s anyone else who would talk to you like this.  It doesn’t offend you?’

‘Sibyl!’

’Well, then, that’s all right.  Go into the world by all means, but go prepared —­ armed; the word isn’t a bit too strong, as I know perfectly.  Some day, perhaps —­ but there’s no need to talk about such things now.’

Alma kept a short silence, breaking it at length with note of exultation.

’I’m quite decided now.  I wanted just to hear what you would say.  I shan’t wait a day longer than I can help.  The old life is over for me.  If only it had come about in some other way, I should be singing with rapture.  I’m going to begin to live!’

She quivered with intensity of feeling, or with that excitement of the nerves which simulates intense feeling in certain natures.  A flush stole to her cheek; her eyes were once more full of light.  Sibyl regarded her observantly and with admiration.

‘You never thought of the stage, Alma?’

‘The stage?  Acting?’

’No; I see you never did.  And it wouldn’t do —­ of course it wouldn’t do.  Something in your look —­ it just crossed my mind —­ but of course you have much greater things before you.  It means hard work, and I’m only afraid you’ll work yourself all but to death.’

‘I shouldn’t wonder,’ replied the girl, with a little laugh of pride in this possibility.

‘Well, I too am going away, you know.’

Alma’s countenance fell, shame again crept over it, and she murmured, ’O Sibyl ——!’

’Don’t distress yourself the least on my account.  That’s an understood thing; no mention, no allusion, ever between us.  And the truth is that my position is just a little like yours:  on the whole, I’m rather glad.  Hugh wants desperately to get to the other end of the world, and I dare say it’s the best thing I could do to go with him.  No roughing it, of course; that isn’t in my way.’

‘I should think not, indeed!’

’Oh, I may rise to those heights, who knows!  If the new sensation ever seemed worth the trouble. —­ In a year or two, we shall meet and compare notes.  Don’t expect long descriptive letters; I don’t care to do indifferently what other people have done well and put into print —­ it’s a waste of energy.  But you are sure to have far more interesting and original things to tell about; it will read so piquantly, I’m sure, at Honolulu.’

They drank tea together, and talked, in all, for a couple of hours.  When she rose to leave, Alma, but for her sombre drapings, was totally changed from the limp, woebegone, shrinking girl who had at first presented herself.