Britney Spears BritneySad.jpgWe spotted Brit last night at 8:30 p.m. at the Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills (where we've seen her almost every day for the past week) crying! (Sad, huh?)

Apparently she was sobbing during dinner - with her new bodyguard/manny by her side - but still managed to puff through a few ciggies. She retreated upstairs to a room and we never spotted her come down again ...

Her cousin/assistant Alli has been conspicuously absent over the past week, since we first saw the new bodyguard/manny come on board. A source is telling us Brit and Alli are taking a much-needed break after so much time together over the past few months -- that a little spat has temporarily separated the two. Not surprising, since who wouldn't eventually have trouble with another person after spending so much time together -- hence divorce! We're hoping it's nothing serious and that the lovely Alli is back in Britney's life soon. And best of luck to you, Brit! Why the tears?