There, poor girl, her heart sank, especially when Miss Balquidder, in an anomalous costume and a severe voice, opened the door herself, and asked who was there, disturbing a respectable family at this late hour?
Elizabeth answered, what she had before determined to say, as sufficiently explaining her errand, and yet betraying nothing that her mistress might wish concealed.
"Please, ma'am, I'm Miss Leaf's servant.

My missis is ill, and I want a letter sent at once to Miss Hilary." "Oh! come in, then.

Elizabeth, I think, your name is ?" "Yes, ma'am." "What made you leave home at this hour of the night?
Did your mistress send you ?" "No." "Is she so very ill?
It seems sudden.

I saw Miss Hilary to-day, and she knew nothing at all about it." Elizabeth shrank a little before the keen eye that seemed to read her through.
"There's more amiss than you have told me, young woman.

Is it because your mistress is in serious danger that you want to send for her sister ?" "No." "What is it then?
You had better tell me at once.