The young ladies began the employment of teaching with alacrity. They endeavoured to ground Catherine in those things that would be useful in a village school. But geography her mind was bent upon, so Miss Arden presented to her a book; likewise several little works, which she thought would be useful.
One morning, however, they were surprised in the midst of their lessons. “Begin that line again,” said Miss Arden. Elizabeth had walked gently into the room, and now stood by the table where the two young ladies were seated, and Catherine standing. When they beheld her, they all started, and looked aghast. “You are very early at your tasks, young ladies! But I did not know that we had a new pupil. Pray when did she arrive?”
“I beg you a thousand pardons, ma’am, for leading the young ladies to do wrong! It was all my fault,” said Catherine.
Miss Arden related the matter plainly as it was.
“I commend Catherine,” said Elizabeth, “for her wish to serve her parents; nor am I offended with you, young ladies, for wishing to serve her. But you must beware that we are not to do a wrong thing, even with the very best motives. There is always something mean in acting clandestinely. Why could you not have been candid, and told me her wish? You must not meet here again. Catherine, when you have leisure, continue your lessons; and I will fix upon some other mode of instructing you; at least a proper time, not by the light of a lamp.”
CHAPTER XV.
When the physician was first called in to attend Jane, he strictly forbad any person sleeping with her: Elizabeth, therefore, removed to a small camp bed, which was placed by her sister.
A few mornings after Mrs. Adair’s visit to Mrs. Vincent, Jane suddenly awoke; and in an earnest, quick tone of voice, begged that her sister would come to her. “But first draw aside the window curtain,” said she, “That is right. Now come into my bed—only this morning—never—never again.”