Having waited in vain for a reply, Emily turned away, and resumed the train of thought which her schoolfellow had interrupted.
By an association of ideas, of which she was not herself aware, she now passed from thinking of her aunt to thinking of Miss Jethro.

The interview of the previous night had dwelt on her mind at intervals, in the hours of the new day.
Acting on instinct rather than on reason, she had kept that remarkable incident in her school life a secret from every one.

No discoveries had been made by other persons.

In speaking to her staff of teachers, Miss Ladd had alluded to the affair in the most cautious terms.
"Circumstances of a private nature have obliged the lady to retire from my school.

When we meet after the holidays, another teacher will be in her place." There, Miss Ladd's explanation had begun and ended.
Inquiries addressed to the servants had led to no result.