Chapter Forty Nine.
Two Confessions.
Hester dragged her startled and rather unwilling companion in through the front entrance, past some agitated-looking servants who stood about in the hall, and through the velvet curtains into Mrs Willis’s boudoir.
The Misses Bruce were there, and Mrs Willis in her bonnet and cloak was hastily packing some things into a basket.
“I—I must speak to you,” said Hester, going up to her governess. “Susan and I have got something to say, and we must say it here, now at once?”
“No, not now, Hester,” replied Mrs Willis, looking for a moment into her pupil’s agitated face. “Whatever you and Susan Drummond have to tell cannot be listened to by me at this moment. I have not an instant to lose.”
“You are going to Annie?” asked Hester.
“Yes; don’t keep me. Good-bye, my dears; good-bye.”
Mrs Willis moved toward the door. Hester, who felt almost beside herself, rushed after her, and caught her arm.
“Take us with you, take Susy and me with you—we must we must see Annie before she dies.”