Then I raised my white, miserable face from the pillow.
"Do not say any more," I cried. "I am not asleep, and I understand it all."
"Law, bless the dear young lady!" cried Alice, aghast. "I would not have spoken for the world if I had known"—
But I interrupted her.
"It does not matter, Alice," I said. "You meant no harm, and I am old in misery, though young in years."
The girl went away, and Emma flung herself on her knees before me.
"I am so sorry, Miss Laura," she began, "but I had not patience to listen—my heart was full of one thing."
"Emma," I said, "tell me, do you think mamma really knows or suspects any of these things?"
"No," was the quiet reply, "I do not. I will tell you why, Miss Laura. If my lady even thought so, she would not allow Miss Reinhart to remain in the house another hour with you."
"I am going to papa now, and I shall ask him to send my governess away," I said. "She shall not stop here."