When they went up to bed, Anne followed Lady Merton to her room, in
order to ask some question about the dress which she was to wear the
next day, Sunday, and after remaining with her a few minutes, she
returned to Elizabeth. She found her looking full of trouble, quite
a contrast to the bright animated creature she had been a few minutes
before.
'My dear Lizzie,' exclaimed Anne, 'has anything happened? what has
grieved you?'
'Why, Anne,' said Elizabeth, with almost a groan, 'has not enough
happened to grieve me? is it not terrible to think of what I have
done?'
Anne stood still and silent, much struck by her cousin's sorrow; for
she had considered their expedition to the Mechanics' Institute as a
foolish girlish frolic, but by no means as serious a matter as it now
proved to be.
'I want you to tell me, Anne,' continued Elizabeth; 'was I not quite
out of my senses yesterday evening? I can hardly believe it was
myself who went to that horrible place, I wish you could prove that
it was my double-ganger.'
Anne laughed,
'But does it not seem incredible,' said Elizabeth, 'that I, Elizabeth
Woodbourne, should have voluntarily meddled with a radical, levelling
affair, should have sought out Mrs.
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