Even Emily herself was more comfortable than she had been for a long time. She had now become fully convinced that her guilty secret was confined to her own breast, which was great satisfaction to her, and her perseverance in saying her prayers (from which, however, Delia never said a word to dissuade her) gave her a much better opinion of herself. This went on for some days, when an event occurred which at once dispelled her fancied security, and showed her her true condition.
It happened one day that Delia awoke with a violent sick head-ache, a disorder to which she was somewhat subject. She persisted in getting up to breakfast, and tried to keep about as usual, but with all her resolution, the pain and sickness overcame her, and she was obliged to go to bed. Emily would have been excused to wait upon her, but this Delia would not hear of, assuring her that she should be better alone, and that it was not worth while for her to lose her lessons.
Emily darkened the room and arranged the pillows for her friend, and then prepared to go down to the French class.
"Be sure you bring up my exercise!" said Delia, rousing herself as Emily went out. She seemed about to add more, but a fresh paroxysm of pain seized her, and she sank back with a groan.
Emily closed the door softly, and went down stairs to the lecture room, where the class was already assembled, receiving a short and sharp rebuke from the Professor for being behind hand. She made her excuses by saying that Delia was sick, which Mr. Hugo graciously accepted, and then proceeded with the lesson.
Annette's exercise was ready as usual, and Mr. Hugo encouraged her with the remark that she was making great improvement. To do him justice, he was really in most respects an excellent teacher, though his temper and patience were of the shortest. He was not the man to explain and simplify, and go over a lesson with a dull scholar, as Mr. Fletcher did. If one did not understand at once, that was the end of the matter, but then his expositions were remarkably clear, and his manner of speaking fixed the attention, even in spite of one's self.
"I will take Delia's exercise to her, if you please," said Emily, as the class was dismissed.
Mr. Hugo looked first surprised, and then doubtful. "Did she tell you to ask for it?" said he, holding it in his hand, as though undecided what to do.
"Certainly, sir!" replied Emily, wondering at the question.
Mr. Hugo finally handed it to her, with an injunction not to lose it, and to give it to no one but Delia herself. Two or three of the girls were standing round the hall stove, discussing some point in the lesson, apparently relating to Annette's exercise.