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. I hate
concealment."

It was a trial; but Elizabeth held her ground.

"I beg your pardon, ma'am; but I don't think missis would like any
body to know, and therefore I'd rather not tell you."

Now the honest Scotswoman, as she said, hated any thing underhand,
but she respected the right of every human being to maintain silence
if necessary. She looked sharply in Elizabeth's face, which
apparently re-assured her, for she said, not unkindly,

"Very well, child, keep your mistress's secrets by all means. Only
tell me what you want. Shall I take a cab and fetch Miss Hilary at
once?"

Elizabeth thanked her, but said she thought that would not do; it
would be better just to send the note the first thing to-morrow
morning, and then Miss Hilary would come home just as if nothing had