In Elsli’s heart, too, anxiety reigned supreme; not so much for herself as for Fani.  Mrs. Stanhope was already displeased with him; and when she found out that she had been doing wrong too, Elsli could not but fear that her displeasure would be so severe that they should both be sent away.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE HAPPY END.

Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.  During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.  One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.

“I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.  Clarissa was startled to see her heavy eyes and feverish cheeks.

“What ails you, my dear girl?” she asked, tenderly, stroking the hot head with her cool hand, and trying to conceal the anxiety that she felt.

“Not much, I think,” answered Elsli, with a faint smile; “I haven’t been feeling very well for a week or two; I have had a good many dizzy turns and I’ve been hot and restless.  I’ve heard you come up to bed every night though it was so late.”

“Why didn’t you speak to me, dear?  I might have done something to make you sleep.”

“I didn’t want to trouble you and it was really nothing.  I had no pain, only heat and restlessness.  But to-night I thought I must call you, because I feel very ill, and besides I have something that I must tell you, you know, and you told me you would hear it when you could find a quiet time.  Can you spare the time to-night, though it is so late?  I think I could go to sleep better after I have told it.  It has worried me so long.”  Elsli spoke feebly but eagerly; and Aunt Clarissa, full of anxious fear, could not but assent to her request, though she was almost afraid to have her go on; for she saw that the little girl was really very ill.

She sat down by the bedside holding Elsli’s trembling hand in her own and gently pressing it from time to time.  Elsli began:—­

“I want to tell you something that I ought to have spoken of long ago.  It was not right for me to go on as I have been doing without telling you; and I am afraid Mrs. Stanhope will be very much displeased when she knows about it”

Clarissa could scarcely control her astonishment.  Was it possible that this gentle, conscientious creature had been capable of doing something wrong and concealing it?

But she only said quietly:  “Tell me everything that is on your mind, it will relieve you; but do not hurry, there is time enough.”