Part 58 (1/2)

”Go away, Evelyn,” she said. ”I cannot speak to you.”

”Tell me one thing,” said Evelyn; ”is he better?”

”Yes.”

”Is he out of danger?”

”The doctors think so.”

”Then, Aunt Frances, I can thank G.o.d; and what is more, I-even I, who am such an awfully naughty girl-can love G.o.d.”

”I don't like cant,” said Lady Frances; and she turned away with a scornful expression on her lips.

Evelyn sprang to her, clutched both her hands, and said excitedly:

”Listen; you must. I have something to say. It was I who did it!”

”You, Evelyn-you!”

Lady Frances pushed the child from her, and moved a step away. There was such a look of horror on her face that Evelyn at another moment must have recoiled from it; but nothing could daunt her now in this hour of intense repentance.

”I did it,” she repeated-”oh, not meaning to do it! I will tell you; you must listen. Oh, I have been so-so wicked, so-so naughty, so stubborn, so selfis.h.!.+ I see myself at last; and there never, never was such a horrid girl before. Aunt Frances, you shall listen. I loaded the gun, for I meant to go out and shoot some birds on the wing. Uncle Edward doubted that I could do it, and I wanted to prove to him that I could; but I was prevented from going, and I forgot about the gun; and the night before last I ran away. I ran to Jasper. When you locked me up in my room I got out of my sitting-room window.”

”I know all that,” said Lady Frances.

”I went to Jasper, and Jasper took me to The Priory-to Sylvia's home.

Jasper has been staying in the house with Sylvia for a long time, and I went to Sylvia and to Jasper, and I hid there. Audrey came yesterday morning and told me what had happened; and, oh! I thought my heart would break. But Uncle Edward has forgiven me.”

”What! Have you dared to see him?”