Ellen struggled hard with herself before she could speak; Miss Fortune's lips began to wear a scornful smile.
"I'll tell him!" said Ellen, at length; "I'll tell him I was wrong, if you wish me to."
"I _do_ wish it. I like people's eyes to be opened. It'll do him good, I guess, and you too. Now, have you anything more to say?"
Ellen hesitated; the colour came and went; she knew it wasn't a good time, but how could she wait?
"Aunt Fortune," she said, "you know I told you I behaved very ill about that letter won't you forgive me?"
"Forgive you? yes, child; I don't care anything about it."
"Then you will be so good as to let me have my letter again?" said Ellen, timidly.
"Oh, I can't be bothered to look for it now; I'll see about it some other time; take your candle and go to bed now, if you've nothing more to say."
Ellen took her candle and went. Some tears were wrung from her by hurt feeling and disappointment; but she had the smile of conscience, and, as she believed, of Him whose witness conscience is. She remembered that "great rock in a weary land," and she went to sleep in the shadow of it.
The next day was Saturday. Ellen was up early; and after carefully performing her toilet duties, she had a nice long hour before it was time to go down stairs. The use she made of this hour had fitted her to do cheerfully and well her morning work; and Ellen would have sat down to breakfast in excellent spirits if it had not been for her promised disclosure to Mr. Van Brunt. It vexed her a little. "I told Aunt Fortune that was all right; but why I should be obliged to tell Mr. Van Brunt, I don't know. But if it convinces aunt Fortune that I am in earnest, and meant what I say then I had better."
Mr. Van Brunt looked uncommonly grave, she thought; her aunt, uncommonly satisfied. Ellen had more than half a guess at the reason of both; but make up her mind to speak she could not, during all breakfast time. She ate, without knowing what she was eating.
Mr. Van Brunt at length, having finished his meal, without saying a syllable, arose, and was about to go forth, when Miss Fortune stopped him. "Wait a minute, Mr. Van Brunt," she said; "Ellen has something to say to you. Go ahead, Ellen."