' I nodded, and smiled at you, as much as to say, 'I
know!' THIS time, you looked up at me with something like interest in
your eyes; and I felt that a few more words on your side and mine might
bring out the truth. Just at that moment, Mr. Betteredge spoilt it all
by coming to the door. I knew his footstep, and I also knew that it was
against his rules for me to be in the library at that time of day--let
alone being there along with you. I had only just time to get out of my
own accord, before he could come in and tell me to go. I was angry and
disappointed; but I was not entirely without hope for all that. The ice,
you see, was broken between us--and I thought I would take care, on the
next occasion, that Mr. Betteredge was out of the way.
"When I got back to the servants' hall, the bell was going for our
dinner. Afternoon already! and the materials for making the new
nightgown were still to be got! There was but one chance of getting
them. I shammed ill at dinner; and so secured the whole of the interval
from then till tea-time to my own use.
"What I was about, while the household believed me to be lying down
in my own room; and how I spent the night, after shamming ill again at
tea-time, and having been sent up to bed, there is no need to tell you.
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