t up. But no one had brought hot
water, and no one had called her. She felt really dead-tired at last.
What did anything matter? She had got herself into such a serious scrape
that she did not think she could possibly stay more than a day or two
longer at the Merrimans' school. Of course she would be dismissed,
expelled, disgraced. But she did not care. She was sorry for
Jane--quiet, gentle Jane--who had always been her devoted friend; but
she did not mind anybody else. Laura Everett she rather liked; but the
other girls were indifferent to her, with the exception of Lucy, whom
she cordially hated. Before she knew where she was, Rosamund was sound
asleep.

CHAPTER X.

JANE IN DANGER.

Rosamund was awakened from her slumbers by Laura Everett, who shook her
lightly by the shoulder.

"Why, Rose," she said, "I wish you'd wake up. We are all in such a state
of confusion and anxiety. Have you the least idea what the hour is?"

"No. Where am I?" said Rosamund, sitting up in bed and pushing back her
hair.

"Well, it is close on nine o'clock. We had breakfast anyhow this
morning, for nothing is in order. I cannot even explain how bad things
are."

"Try and tell me, Laura; don't keep me in suspense."

"It's Jane, of course."

"My friend Jane?"

"You heard last night that she was very ill. Lucy told you. Lucy has
been talking about you. She said you were very queer when she came in
here last night, and didn't show a scrap of feeling. But I am sure you
are sorry for her. She is in great danger, Rosamund."

"Jane in danger!"

Rosamund had always been fond of Jane, but she had never thought her of
the slightest importance. She had always thought of her as just a good
sort to have as a friend; but all the admiration must be on the friend's
side, who must do all that Rosamund wished--for she, Rosamund, would not
put herself out for her friend. But now things were changed. Jane Denton
was the heroine of the hour. No one else in the whole of that house was
thought of in comparison with Jane. For the symptoms of the night
before had developed in a most aggravating way. She had grown worse and
worse; in short, she was so alarmingly ill that when Lucy came into the
room Mrs. Merriman had decided to send for the doctor from Dartford. He
was obliged to drive over, there being no train so late at night. When
he saw her he pronounced her illness to be diphtheria. How she had got
it nobody knew; but diphtheria Jane had,