Susan proceeded more cheerfully with her dressing after this remark of Maud's; and presently, their toilets completed, the girls ran downstairs.
Then Susan, taking an opportunity when no one was looking, wrote a brief note to Florence Dixie. It ran as follows:
"Dear Florry: You and the Manners girls must on no account come on Wednesday. Don't attempt it, as you love me. I can add no more. From your friend,
"Susan Marsh."
When Susan had finished her letter she folded it up. Outside the little three-cornered note she wrote, "Be sure you burn this when read"; and then she put it into a small envelope, which she stuck down. A minute or two later she had thrust her note into Maud's hand.
"Put it into your pocket, and don't fail to deliver it. Oh! it will be a relief when you have managed this, Maud."
Maud nodded her head.
That morning Miss Peacock, contrary to her wont, did not appear at family prayers; but Miss Forest, the English teacher, took her place. Christian was again prayed for. The bulletin with regard to her state was a little worse, if anything, than it had been on the previous night. All the girls felt terribly depressed. They could not set to their accustomed Sunday work. Susan glided to a seat by the fire in the boudoir with a book; the others wandered here and there, not knowing what to do with themselves. Presently Jessie came down.
"Miss Peacock says that there will be prayers as usual in the chapel," she said, "and she hopes that all the girls who are sufficiently well will go there in good time."
Maud raised her head. She also was pretending to read. Susan gave her one agonized glance. Maud rose slowly and went towards Jessie.
"Do you mind, Jessie," she said, "if I go to church at Tregellick?"