'Stay,' said Jane, faintly, and Esther left the room.
Jane drew her breath with so much difficulty that a dreadful terror
seized upon Lily, lest she should be suffocated. She raised her
head, and supported her till Esther could bring more pillows. Esther
brought a message from Emily to hasten her return; but Jane could not
be left, and the grateful look she gave her as she arranged the
pillows repaid her for all her toils. After a little time Jane
became more comfortable, and said in a whisper, 'Dear Lily, I wish I
was not so troublesome.'
Back came Esther at this moment, saying, 'Miss Emily says she is
worse, and wants you directly, Miss Lilias.'
Lily hurried away to Emily's room, and found what might well have
tried her temper. Emily was flushed indeed, and feverish, but her
breathing was smooth and even, and her hand and pulse cool and slow,
compared with the parched burning hands, and throbbings, too quick to
count, which Lily had just been watching.
'Well, my dear Emily, I am sorry you do not feel better; what can I
do for you?'
'How can I be better while I am left so long, and Esther not coming
when I ring? What would happen if I were to faint away?'
'Indeed, I am very sorry,' said Lily; 'but when you rang, poor Jenny
could spare neither of us.
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