"We are none of us allowed near that part of the house, miss," replied the woman.
"You can take me in the direction, anyhow, and explain to me how I am to get to Miss Fraser," said Effie. "Come, there's not an instant to lose—be quick."
"Oh, yes! I can take you in the direction," said the girl.
She turned down a corridor; Effie followed her. The servant walked rather slowly and in a dubious sort of way.
"Can't you hurry?" said Effie. "It is a matter of life and death."
The girl hastened her steps a little. Effie's manner frightened her. Presently they reached a baize door—the servant pushed it open, but stood aside herself.
"It is as much as my place is worth to open this door," she said. "It is here the infectious case is, and Miss Fraser's own orders are that the door is not to be opened; but you frighten me somehow, miss, and I suppose there's no harm in it."
"No, of course there is no harm. Now, tell me which is Miss Fraser's room?"
"The nurseries are entered by the third door as you go down that passage, miss."
The servant banged to the baize door, and Effie found herself alone. She ran down the passage, and opened the outer nursery door. It was quiet and still, in perfect order, the blinds down, and the windows open. Effie, in spite of all her agitation, walked on tiptoe across this room. A door which led into another room was half open, and she heard someone moving about. That step, so quiet and self-possessed, must belong to Dorothy.