Scarcely dared I answer her; for I feared the next sentence might
be rough. "I will try."

"Would you like to drink, or could you eat anything?"

"No, thank you, Bessie."

"Then I think I shall go to bed, for it is past twelve o'clock;
but you may call me if you want anything in the night."

Wonderful civility this! It emboldened me to ask a question.

"Bessie, what is the matter with me? Am I ill?"

"You fell sick, I suppose, in the red-room with crying; you'll be
better soon, no doubt."

Bessie went into the housemaid's apartment, which was near. I
heard her say -

"Sarah, come and sleep with me in the nursery; I daren't for my
life be alone with that poor child to-night: she might die; it's
such a strange thing she should have that fit: I wonder if she
saw anything. Missis was rather too hard."

Sarah came back with her; they both went to bed; they were whispering
together for half-an-hour before they fell asleep. I caught scraps
of their conversation, from which I was able only too distinctly
to infer the main subject discussed.