FOR A MOMENT SHE KNELT IN SILENCE, HER EYES
FIXED ON THE PAGE.
'Without speaking, Henrietta took out her prayer-book, and found the Service for the Communion of the Sick. Her strong self-command was almost giving way then. For a moment she knelt in silence, her eyes fixed on the page, and her lip quivering; but when her voice came, it was clear and firm, as if we had been at evening prayers in Madame St. Aubert's schoolroom.
'For some minutes after Henrietta had closed the book, Bessie lay quite still, with her eyes shut, and I thought at first that she had fallen asleep; but presently she looked up and said, with a faint sigh:
'"Henrietta, I never knew what you were before. It was my fault if we were not good friends in the old days. Will you forgive all those thoughtless words and taunts of mine?"
'Henrietta's answer was a long, fervent kiss.
'"You were right, too, when you said we should bring trouble upon ourselves," Bessie went on mournfully; "but I could not help it. I do not know that I could do anything else, if all should come over again. I thought I was doing right. My uncle loved the Duke. Only poor little Frances—She must forgive me too. I feel as if I was a good deal to blame for her part in this matter.'"
'"No, no, dear Bessie," I sobbed, flinging myself down by her side. "It was not your fault. Henrietta did nothing, and you know she has been punished as much as we have."
'"Dear little Fan, good-bye."